Career & Technical Education

Explainer

What Is Career and Technical Education, Anyway?
Find answers to eight commonly asked questions about career and technical education here.
Kermir Highsmith, left, Dynasty McClurk, center, and Nevaeh Williams, work in their culinary arts class at Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Dec. 13, 2022.
Kermir Highsmith, left, Dynasty McClurk, center, and Nevaeh Williams, work in their culinary arts class at Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Dec. 13, 2022.
Nate Smallwood for Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness States Are Making Work-Based Learning a Top Policy Priority
Interest in career and technical education continues to grow in schools nationwide, new report shows.
Lauraine Langreo, February 23, 2024
3 min read
Heidi Griebel and Josie Wahl participate in carpentry class at Career and Technical Education Academy in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Jan. 7, 2019.
Heidi Griebel and Josie Wahl participate in carpentry class at the Career and Technical Education Academy in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Jan. 7, 2019. A new bill in the U.S. Senate would authorize state grants to bolster dual enrollment, apprenticeships, and other forms of on-the-job training.
Loren Townsley/The Argus Leader via AP
College & Workforce Readiness A Career Prep Bill Gets Bipartisan Support in the Senate. What’s in It?
New federal legislation would authorize state grants to bolster dual enrollment, apprenticeships, and other forms of on-the-job training.
Caitlynn Peetz, February 7, 2024
4 min read
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Photo of a diverse group of elementary aged kids around a table building robots and testing them together with a male teacher during a stem robotics class.
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College & Workforce Readiness This District Wants to Start CTE in Elementary School, in a New Twist on Career Prep
It's believed to be the nation's first gaming and robotics magnet school for elementary-age students.
Caitlynn Peetz, January 26, 2024
6 min read
Students make measurements to wood to add to a tiny home project during their shop class at Carrick High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Dec. 13, 2022.
Students make measurements to wood to add to a tiny home project during their shop class at Carrick High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Dec. 13, 2022.
Nate Smallwood for Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness Parents Value 'Workforce Development.' Here's How to Get Their Support for CTE
The ways in which schools and policymakers talk about career and technical education influences parents' support for it.
Lauraine Langreo, November 8, 2023
4 min read
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Quiz Yourself: How Much Do You Know About Workforce Readiness?
Answer 7 questions about workforce readiness.
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Students make measurements to wood to add to a tiny home project during their shop class at Carrick High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Dec. 13, 2022.
Students work on a project to build a tiny home during a shop class at Carrick High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Dec. 13, 2022.
Nate Smallwood for Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness Q&A How One District Ensures That Career Education Leads to Jobs for Students
The director of Pittsburgh's career and technical education program outlines how she approaches community partnerships.
Lauraine Langreo, May 30, 2023
2 min read
Tenth graders, TaeLyn Johnson, left, and Dilana Gray, right, practice on a dummy during their EMS class at Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Dec. 13, 2022.
Tenth graders TaeLyn Johnson, left, and Dilana Gray practice EMS skills during a career and technical education class at Westinghouse High School in Pittsburgh on Dec. 13, 2022.
Nate Smallwood for Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness Everyone Earns an Industry Certification and Most Go to College in This CTE Program
Pittsburgh Public Schools' CTE students are graduating with at least one industry certification and a confirmed post-graduation plan.
Lauraine Langreo, May 30, 2023
10 min read
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
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Future of Work Opinion How Will AI Automation Affect Career and Technical Education?
It’s always been important to get education right for all students, but the arrival of ChatGPT means it’s now more important than ever.
Rick Hess, May 25, 2023
6 min read
Illustration of a figure walking through a landscape of vocational iconography.
Liana Nagieva/iStock + Vanessa Solis/Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness Opinion The Nation Is Still at Risk: The Urgency of Workforce Preparation
The labor market needs education to evolve. Career and technical education has an important role to play, writes Anthony P. Carnevale.
Anthony P. Carnevale, April 28, 2023
5 min read
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Quiz Yourself: How Much Do You Know About Skills Verification?
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May Lim/iStock/Getty
School & District Management Milwaukee Leader Who Boosted Career Pathways Chosen as Assistant Principal of the Year
Misa Sato is an assistant principal at Reagan High School in Milwaukee.
Denisa R. Superville, April 23, 2023
3 min read
Teacher With Two Male English Learner Students Building Machine In Science Robotics Or Engineering Class
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English-Language Learners Q&A How Cross-Departmental Collaboration Helps English Learners
Aldine ISD department heads share advice on how they collaborate to mutually support English learners.
Ileana Najarro, April 21, 2023
4 min read
Young girl working on an electrical panel in a classroom setting.
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English-Language Learners How Districts Can Ensure English Learners Have CTE Access
A new analysis identified common strategies school districts can use to ensure equitable access.
Ileana Najarro, April 21, 2023
5 min read