Career & Technical Education

Read more about classes and programs that are designed to prepare students for work

Explainer

High school seniors Alex Yates, left, and David Romero work on an assembly line machine in a mechatronics class in the career and technical education program at Warren County High School in McMinnville, Tenn., in 2017. The technology skills they learn in the class help prepare them for jobs in the area’s booming automotive industry.
What Is Career and Technical Education, Anyway?
Find answers to eight commonly asked questions about career and technical education here.
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Thu., March 12, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
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College & Workforce Readiness Spotlight Spotlight on Where Learning Meets Opportunity: Connecting Classrooms to Careers Through Real-World Learning
This Spotlight highlights a growing shift toward career-connected learning, which blends academic content with real-world applications.
February 13, 2026
College & Workforce Readiness Spotlight Spotlight on How Schools Can Elevate Their CTE Offerings
CTE is evolving to meet the demands of a high-tech economy by including AI literacy, advanced technical skills, and real-world experience.
February 11, 2026
Adaora Umeh and daughter Weluchu Umeh, a sophomore, learn about a digitized cadaver used by dental students including, Makaylen Martinez, center left, and Katie Pham, right, during an open house at Garland ISD s Gilbreath-Reed Career and Technical Center on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 , in Garland.
Adaora Umeh and daughter Weluchu Umeh, a sophomore, learn about a digitized cadaver used by dental students Makaylen Martinez, center left, and Katie Pham, right, during an open house at a Garland ISD career and technical education center on Feb. 9, 2026, in Garland, Texas. Districts around the country are partnering with colleges and local employers to offer students more learning opportunities connected to future careers.
Angela Piazza/Dallas Morning News via TNS
College & Workforce Readiness Schools Must Prepare for Jobs of the Future, Superintendents Say
How to set up students for success in local workforces is top of mind among superintendents.
Evie Blad, February 10, 2026
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3 min read
Martha Salazar-Zamora, center left, the superintendent of Tomball Independent School District, walks with colleagues on January 13, 2026, in Tomball, Texas.
Tomball ISD Superintendent Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora, center left, walks with colleagues on January 13, 2026, in Tomball, Texas.
Danielle Villasana for Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness Leader To Learn From A Superintendent’s Vision Turned an Oil Site Into a Career Launchpad
A Houston-area superintendent turned a bankrupt industrial site into a CTE powerhouse and revenue source for her district.
Arianna Prothero, February 9, 2026
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11 min read
Tomball ISD Superintendent Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora poses for a portrait in a warehouse where aviation students can work on planes at the CTE center on January 13, 2026, in Tomball, Texas.
Martha Salazar-Zamora, the superintendent of Texas' Tomball Independent School District, purchased an abandoned industrial site that now houses her district's expansive career-and-technical education program.
Danielle Villasana for Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness Q&A One Superintendent on How CTE Prepares Students for Tomorrow’s Jobs
A Texas superintendent shares how her district has tackled common problems in growing career and technical education programs.
Arianna Prothero, February 9, 2026
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3 min read
Career and Technical Education (CTE) students immersed themselves in realistic disaster situations at Van Buren Tech on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 . The students, ranging from law enforcement, emergency medical technicians, fire and more prepped all year for this day of training.
Strong career and technical education programs offer students experiences to tackle and solve real world problems, experts say. Students participate in disaster simulations at Van Buren Tech in Lawrence, Mich., on May 13, 2025.
Devin Anderson-Torrez/mlive.com via TNS
College & Workforce Readiness Q&A What the Best Career and Technical Programs Have in Common
CTE programs must be rigorous and aligned with economic needs and technological developments.
Arianna Prothero, January 30, 2026
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4 min read
David Coleman, CEO of the College Board, speaks at the organization's annual conference in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 21, 2024.
The College Board, known for its suite of college-entrance exams and AP courses, will work to provide more work-based learning experiences for high school students. The organization's CEO, David Coleman, speaks at the organization's annual conference in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 21, 2024.
Ileana Najarro/Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness Rising Demand for Career Education Prompts College Board to Expand Its Footprint
The organization is investing in the teacher pipeline for career and technical education.
Lauraine Langreo, January 30, 2026
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5 min read
Students in Chad Wright’s construction program work on measurements at the Regional Occupational Center on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Bakersfield, Calif.
Students in Chad Wright’s construction program work on measurements at the Regional Occupational Center on Jan. 11, 2023, in Bakersfield, Calif. A newly released policy agenda from a coalition of center-left Democrats focuses heavily on career training.
Morgan Lieberman for Education Week
Federal A Major Democratic Group Thinks This Education Policy Is a Winning Issue
An agenda from center-left Democrats could foreshadow how they discuss education on the campaign trail.
Alyson Klein, January 9, 2026
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4 min read
Omar Muñoz teaches high school student Caden Wang, 15, during a class on semiconductor manufacturing at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz., on Nov. 5, 2025.
Omar Muñoz teaches high school student Caden Wang, 15, during a class on semiconductor manufacturing at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz., on Nov. 5, 2025. Districts across the country are looking for people like Muñoz, who has three decades of industry experience, to teach their CTE courses.
Adriana Zehbrauskas for Education Week
Recruitment & Retention How This District Works to Attract and Retain Hard-to-Find CTE Instructors
CTE instructors are difficult to hire and retain. This district uses external connections and internal resources to support its program.
Elizabeth Heubeck, January 7, 2026
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6 min read
Students in Bentonville public schools’ Ignite program work on projects during class on Nov. 5, 2025, in Bentonville, Ark. The program offer career-pathway training for juniors and seniors in the district.
Students in the Bentonville public schools' Ignite program work on projects during class on Nov. 5, 2025, in Bentonville, Ark. The program offer career-pathway training for juniors and seniors in the district.
Wesley Hitt for Education Week
Artificial Intelligence Quiz Quiz Yourself: How Is AI Reshaping K-12 Career and Technical Education?
Test your knowledge on AI trends in students' careers.
Sean Cavanagh & Lynn (Yunfei) Liu, December 29, 2025
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1 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Reports Evolving Perspectives: Educator Views on Career and Technical Education
Based on a 2025 survey, this whitepaper examines the role that Career and Technical Education programs have in K-12 schools.
December 17, 2025
Collage of an online lesson and in-class view of students working with a teacher.
Collage via iStock/Getty
College & Workforce Readiness From Our Research Center The Kinds of CTE Courses Students Are Demanding From Their Schools
Students are increasingly interested in digital technology, AI, and cybersecurity, survey shows.
Alyson Klein, December 17, 2025
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1 min read
Image of a silhouette, AI, and industry.
iStock/Getty
College & Workforce Readiness Give Students Meaningful, Work-Oriented Learning, U.S. Executives Say
A mix of in-school and workplace learning will help students prepare for a fast-changing world.
Jennifer Vilcarino, December 5, 2025
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9 min read
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