CTE Curriculum Development in Oklahoma

Arkansas operates a comprehensive Career and Technical Education system that serves students through secondary programs in public schools and a robust network of postsecondary institutions. The state's CTE offerings are organized around 16 career clusters and more than 90 individual programs of study that prepare students for high-demand careers in Arkansas. The Arkansas Division of Career and Technical Education works closely with the state's two-year colleges and technical institutes to create seamless pathways from high school through postsecondary credentials and into the workforce. Arkansas has made significant investments in CTE program quality, including competitive grant programs for equipment upgrades and facility improvements. Arkansas has also been a leader in the region for integrating computer science education into its CTE offerings, requiring all high schools to offer computer science courses and embedding digital literacy across career pathways.

Kansas has built a well-organized CTE system centered around its Pathways Model, which provides structured sequences of courses that prepare students for specific career fields. The state organizes its CTE programs around career clusters and pathways that align with Kansas's economic strengths in agriculture, aviation and aerospace manufacturing, healthcare, and energy. The Kansas State Department of Education oversees secondary CTE, while the Kansas Board of Regents supports postsecondary CTE through the state's community and technical colleges. Kansas has been nationally recognized for its implementation of the Pathways Model, which requires students to complete a coherent sequence of CTE courses along with related academic coursework and work-based learning experiences. This structured approach ensures that CTE participants develop both the technical and academic skills needed for career success. The state has also invested in developing strong connections between secondary and postsecondary CTE, with extensive articulation agreements and dual enrollment options that enable students to accumulate college credits while in high school. Kansas's Excel in CTE initiative provides tuition assistance for high school students taking CTE courses at postsecondary institutions.

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.

Texas operates the largest career and technical education system in the United States, serving approximately 1.8 million secondary students across more than 1,200 school districts. The state's CTE programs are organized around 16 career clusters with over 60 defined programs of study, reflecting the enormous scale and diversity of the Texas economy. The Texas Education Agency's College, Career, and Military Preparation (CCMP) Division oversees CTE program standards and accountability, while local school districts have significant autonomy in program selection and implementation. This decentralized approach allows districts to tailor CTE offerings to their regional economic conditions, from the energy sector in West Texas to the technology industry in Austin and the healthcare sector in Houston. Texas has invested heavily in CTE through initiatives such as the designation of Programs of Study and the expansion of industry-based certifications. The state's strong emphasis on college, career, and military readiness ensures that CTE is positioned as a central component of the high school experience rather than an alternative track. Texas also benefits from extensive partnerships with community colleges, technical schools, and employers that provide dual credit, work-based learning, and apprenticeship opportunities.