Career and Technical Education

Equipping Students with Real-World Skills & College Credit

Too many students are unprepared for success after high school. Career and technical education (CTE) offers students the opportunity to develop a strong academic foundation and valuable, real-world technical skills while they are still in high school. 

CTE is emerging as a priority across the nation with parents, businesses and state leaders working to ensure high-quality education options are available today to prepare students for rewarding careers tomorrow. States dedicated to strengthening their CTE programs will set up their local economies, employers and students for long-term success.

RESOURCE: CTE Playbook Series

ExcelinEd’s policy playbook series and resources offer specific steps states can take to strengthen their CTE programs and set up their local economies, employers and students for long-term success.

What They Are Saying

“Idaho’s economy is growing fast, which makes developing homegrown talent pipelines for our businesses a top
priority. We’re advancing policies aimed at ensuring our students are prepared with the education and training needed to fill the high-demand, high-skill jobs being created by Idaho employers.”

Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter

Idaho Office of the Governor

Many CTE programs are outdated. They should be revised to make sure that they are keeping pace with business and industry. Also, the state needs to focus on those programs that are industry relevant. For example, right now, schools offer cosmetology and floral design classes during the school day, but robotics programs still mostly take place after school. From what matters to our employers, this approach doesn’t make sense and needs to be flipped.

Romanita Matta-Barrera

Executive Director of SA Works

Not every child’s [CTE] experience is going to look the same. For example, our digital media students were able to actually film and produce a TEDx Wilmington. Our construction students actually had the ability to work with local craftsmen at an artisan’s workshop in the city of old New Castle.

Jeffrey Menzer

Assistant Superintendent, Colonial School District, Delaware

Meet the Experts