1979 NCTE Annual Business Meeting in San Francisco, California

Background

There is an inherent relationship between the practical and broadly humanistic goals of English language arts instruction and the development of competencies and values needed in the world of work. Recognizing this inherent relationship, the National Council of Teachers of English Executive Committee fully supports the work of the federally funded NCTE Project on Career Education and English.

To be most effective, career education must be, not an adjunct to, but an integral part of the teaching of English for all students. The National Council of Teachers of English has warned against narrow vocational goals for English programs that only pretend to serve the student’s interests or abilities. Be it therefore

Resolution

Resolved, that the National Council of Teachers of English recognize the responsibility of English teachers to integrate, wherever appropriate, career education into English language arts instruction and to collaborate with other professionals and with the larger community in developing students’ potential for careers;

that NCTE encourage school districts to create curricula and program offerings that make clear the relationship between English language arts instruction and career education; and

that NCTE communicate to employers and to the public the ways in which the broad humanistic goals of instruction in English language arts can contribute to the competence and career potential of all individuals.

This position statement may be printed, copied, and disseminated without permission from NCTE.