Career technical education is an essential component of the total educational system in the United States and is critical to the country's ability to compete in a global economy. Career technical education is provided in a variety of settings and levels and provides students and adults the technical skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in occupations and careers as well as workplace basic skills, life skills, and enhancement of academic skills and general education. The Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education believes that five key principles are essential for Career Technical Education. They believe that career technical education: (1) draws its curriculum, standards, and organizing principles from the workplace; (2) is a critical and integral component of the total educational system, offering career-oriented benefits for all students; (3) is a critical and integral component of the work force development system, providing the essential foundation for a thriving economy; (4) maintains high levels of excellence supported through identification of academic and workplace standards, measurement of performance (accountability), and high expectations for participant success; and (5) is robust and flexible enough to respond to the needs of multiple educational environments, customers, and levels of specialization. (KC)