WHEREAS, February 2023, has been designated as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month by the Association for Career and Technical Education and the Nevada Department of Education; and

WHEREAS, students who participate in career and technical education programs partake in authentic and meaningful experiences that improve the quality of their education and increase their engagement and achievement; and

WHEREAS, in the current 2022-2023 school year, 77,049 high school students and 2,809 middle school students are enrolled in CTE programs, representing a 2.0% increase in enrollment from the 2021-2022 school year; and

WHEREAS, based on data, students who have participated in career and technical education programs graduate at a higher rate than their peers, with a 92.3% graduation rate for CTE students in the Class of 2022, compared with an 81.7% statewide graduation rate; and

WHEREAS, in the Silver State, career and technical education provides students with career exploration and work-based learning opportunities earlier in their educational experience, enabling them to make informed and beneficial decisions about their academic coursework and pursue established programs of study and career pathways; and

WHEREAS, career and technical education programs ensure that employers have access to a qualified and thriving workforce and positions Nevada as a strong and competitive leader in our nation and global economy;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the month of February 2023 as

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION MONTH IN NEVADA