High students want to gain real world skills in school. 

By enrolling in high school career and technical education programs they build their skills and graduate ready to earn a good living.  Pennsylvania boasts about its 230 high schools that offer dozens of technical training programs.  Across the state, students in these schools are more likely graduate and complete post-secondary programs on time than their high school peers.  

But less than eight percent of Pennsylvania’s high school students have the option to enroll in these practical high school programs.  Children First removing the obstacles that stand in the way of more students tapping this proven high school option.  Our advocacy contributed to the state increasing support for these programs by tens of millions of dollars. 

More funds are needed coupled with reforms that modernize the options for students as well as making sure all the programs are up to industry standard and taught by professionals who know what it takes to succeed in their profession.