CEHD News

The University of Louisville College of Education and Human Development announced Sept. 26 that it has been awarded a five-year, $20.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to host the National Research Center on Career and Technical Education (NRCCTE).

The grant is one of the largest federal grants the university has ever received, said Manuel Martinez-Maldonado, UofL executive vice president for research.

NRCCTE has a primary goal to provide research, professional development and technical assistance that will lead to better ways of teaching technology in the classroom.

“Career and technical education is a major part of the curriculum for high schools and two-year colleges. Our task is to ensure it is done well,” said education professor James Stone.

Stone, a national expert in career and technical education, directed the center when it was hosted at the University of Minnesota. He will continue to direct it at UofL.

“Kentucky is on the leading edge of innovation and strategies for improving technical education in high schools,” he said. “UofL has already worked to build a strong infrastructure and good rapport with area schools.”

As NRCCTE host, UofL will serve as the lead partner with other institutions, including the University of Minnesota, Cornell University and Clemson University and the Southern Region Education Board to develop innovative approaches to improve the practice of career and technical education at the local, state and national levels.

The center will provide a multidisciplinary approach to research. It likely will have eight to 10 employees, not counting research posts.

UofL is the fourth research university in 30 years to win the award to be the NRCCTE host university. The center previously had been hosted by the Ohio State University; the University of California, Berkeley; and, for the last eight years, the University of Minnesota.

Work at NRCCTE is expected to officially begin Oct. 1.