CTE Curriculum Development in Oregon

California operates the largest Career and Technical Education system in the nation, serving millions of students across more than 1,000 school districts, county offices of education, and the California Community Colleges system. The state's CTE programs are organized around 15 industry sectors defined by the California CTE Model Curriculum Standards, reflecting the state's diverse and innovation-driven economy. California has made substantial investments in CTE through multiple funding streams, including the California Career Technical Education Incentive Grant (CTEIG) program, which has provided hundreds of millions of dollars to develop and expand high-quality CTE programs. The state also supports regional CTE consortia that coordinate programming across K-12 and community college partners. The state's CTE landscape is shaped by California's position as a global leader in technology, entertainment, agriculture, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. CTE programs across the state reflect this economic diversity, offering pathways ranging from software development and film production to sustainable agriculture and biotechnology.

Idaho's Career Technical Education system is overseen by the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education, an independent state agency that operates alongside the State Board of Education. This dedicated administrative structure reflects the state's strong commitment to CTE as a distinct and valued component of public education. Idaho organizes its CTE programs around six career clusters: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Business and Marketing Education; Engineering and Technology Education; Family and Consumer Sciences; Health Professions and Public Safety; and Skilled and Technical Sciences. Idaho's CTE programs serve students across the state's diverse geography, from the Boise metropolitan area to remote agricultural and timber communities. The state has invested in building strong connections between secondary CTE and postsecondary institutions, including the state's community colleges and technical colleges. The state has been recognized for its employer engagement practices, with industry advisory committees playing a central role in shaping CTE program standards and priorities. Idaho's growing economy, particularly in technology, agriculture, and manufacturing, drives strong demand for CTE graduates.

Nevada's Career and Technical Education system has experienced rapid growth alongside the state's expanding population and diversifying economy. While the hospitality and gaming industries remain central to Nevada's workforce landscape, the state has strategically expanded CTE programs in healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and logistics to support economic diversification efforts. CTE programs are offered through the state's 17 school districts, with the Clark County School District in Las Vegas serving the vast majority of CTE students. The state also provides postsecondary CTE through the Nevada System of Higher Education, including community colleges and state colleges. Nevada has made significant investments in expanding CTE access and quality, including the development of career and technical academies that offer focused pathways within comprehensive high schools. The state's emphasis on industry-recognized credentials and work-based learning reflects its commitment to ensuring that CTE graduates are prepared for the workforce.

Washington's career and technical education system serves approximately 260,000 secondary students through programs offered in school districts, skills centers, and interdistrict cooperatives across the state. The state's CTE programs reflect Washington's diverse economy, which ranges from the technology sector in the Puget Sound region to agriculture in the Columbia Basin and natural resources in rural areas. Washington operates 14 skills centers that provide specialized, hands-on CTE training for students from multiple districts. These regional centers complement programs offered in comprehensive high schools and provide access to advanced technical programs that individual districts could not sustain independently. The state has been a leader in establishing CTE equivalency frameworks, which allow students to earn academic credit through CTE courses that incorporate rigorous academic content. This approach has helped elevate the perceived value of CTE and increased participation among students pursuing both college and career readiness. Washington's strong community and technical college system provides robust postsecondary pathways for CTE completers.