CTE Curriculum Development in Kansas

Colorado's Career and Technical Education system is administered through the Colorado Community College System (CCCS), which provides oversight and support for CTE programs at both the secondary and postsecondary levels. The state organizes CTE around career clusters and pathways that reflect Colorado's dynamic and diversified economy, with particular strength in technology, aerospace, energy, and outdoor recreation industries. Colorado's CTE model emphasizes concurrent enrollment, allowing high school students to earn college credits while completing CTE courses. This approach has driven strong participation rates and creates efficient pathways from secondary education to postsecondary credentials and degrees. The state has also been a pioneer in developing CTE program quality indicators and using data-driven approaches to evaluate and improve CTE offerings. Colorado's employer engagement model brings industry partners directly into program design and assessment, ensuring that CTE graduates are prepared for the state's competitive job market.

Missouri's Career and Technical Education system is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the Midwest, serving students through a network of area career centers, local school districts, and community colleges. The state has a strong tradition of career education that emphasizes preparing students for both immediate employment and postsecondary education. The state organizes CTE around 16 career clusters and offers a wide range of programs that reflect Missouri's diverse economy. From agriculture in rural areas to advanced manufacturing in the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan regions, CTE programs are tailored to meet the workforce needs of local communities. Missouri has been particularly effective in developing regional partnerships between schools, businesses, and higher education institutions. The state's area career centers serve as hubs for CTE instruction, bringing together students from multiple school districts to access specialized programs and state-of-the-art equipment.

Nebraska's Career and Technical Education system provides students with structured pathways to careers across the state's diverse economy. The Nebraska Department of Education oversees secondary CTE programs delivered through local school districts, while postsecondary CTE is offered through the Nebraska State College System and community colleges. The state organizes its CTE programs around the Nebraska Career Education model, which groups career pathways into career fields aligned with the state's workforce needs. Agriculture remains a foundational element of Nebraska's CTE system, reflecting the state's position as a major agricultural producer, but programs in healthcare, business, information technology, and skilled trades have grown significantly. Nebraska has emphasized building strong connections between secondary and postsecondary CTE programs, with dual enrollment and articulation agreements that allow students to earn college credit while still in high school. The state's focus on career-ready graduates has driven investments in work-based learning, industry certifications, and employer partnerships.

Oklahoma's career and technology education system is recognized nationally for its comprehensive approach to preparing students for both college and career success. The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (ODCTE) oversees a statewide network of technology center districts and comprehensive school programs that serve over 130,000 secondary and adult students each year. The state's CareerTech system operates through 29 technology center districts with 59 campuses, providing hands-on training in more than 90 career majors. Oklahoma's technology centers are distinctive in that they serve both secondary students who attend part-time and adult learners seeking new skills or career changes, creating a uniquely integrated approach to workforce development. Oklahoma has consistently invested in aligning its CareerTech programs with state economic priorities, including aerospace, energy, agriculture, and healthcare. The state's strong industry partnerships ensure that program content remains relevant and that students have access to internships, apprenticeships, and job placement services upon completion.