Res 0422-2022

Whereas, As reported by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, approximately 662,000 fewer students enrolled in undergraduate programs in the spring of 2022 compared to a year earlier, amounting to a decline of 4.7 percent; and Whereas, According to The New York Times, this decline in enrollment raises questions about a potential change in attitudes towards the value of college and whether prospective college students may be weighing the relative value of jobs that require a college degree against equally attractive job opportunities that do not; and Whereas, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs provide high school students with academic and technical instruction alongside work-based learning experiences and opportunities to obtain industry-recognized certifications in order to better prepare students to make informed post-secondary decisions, whether it be to continue at college or university, enter the workforce immediately, or select vocational training programs or apprenticeships; and Whereas, New York State Education Law requires school districts to provide secondary school students access to career education programs commensurate with the interests and capabilities of those desiring and having a need for preparatory training, retraining or upgrading for employment, and develop realistic programs in accord with employment needs in existing and emerging occupations for present and projected employment opportunities; and Whereas, The New York City Department of Education (DOE) offers over 260 CTE elective courses and programs across 135 high schools with over 60,000 participating students; and Whereas, The DOE recently launched two new career-connected learning opportunities for high school students: FutureReadyNYC, which provides students access to career exploration in high-growth fields and the chance to receive early college credit and industry-validated credentials, and the Career Readiness and Modern Youth Apprenticeship, which connects students with paid multi-year apprenticeships in high-growth, high wage fields; and Whereas, The New York City public school system consists of 542 high schools with an enrollment of over 300,000 high school students; and Whereas, All New York City high school students should have the opportunity to participate in CTE programs and other career-connected learning opportunities offered by the DOE to meet the interests and capabilities of a diverse student body and better prepare all students for their next steps after high school; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Department of Education to expand career-connected learning programs and opportunities at all public high schools. LS #9894 10/28/22 DPM 2