Assemblyman Ron Kim's commentary ("Teaching character is a key lesson," Nov. 14) spoke of instilling a love for learning with purpose instead of encouraging our students to just be great test-takers.
He wrote that we, as a nation, should be telling students to work hard at finding purpose and pursuing their passions. Fortunately, we already have programs that do just that for high school students. These programs are called Career Technical Education or CTE.
We all know that people learn differently and that traditional classrooms don't work for everyone. Mix hands-on, project-based learning with integrated academics and you have students who are passionate about their programs and don't like to miss a day of school. I work in such a place — Questar III BOCES — that has students in programs such as Information Technology and Certified Nurse Assistant who don't miss any school time because they are afraid they will miss something.
Students enrolled in CTE programs successfully graduate ready for college and careers. Many get college credits for high school course work. And these students speak passionately about how CTE has been life-changing for them. CTE affords high school students with the opportunity to discover purposeful learning that can set the foundation for the grit and resilience needed later in life.
CTE is far different today than it was 20 years ago and is a viable high school graduation pathway. We all should support career technical education that provides a pipeline for tomorrow's workforce.
Pamela Mertz
Menands