CTE Curriculum Development in South Dakota

Iowa's Career and Technical Education system is organized through a strong partnership between the Iowa Department of Education and the state's 15 community college regions, which serve as the primary delivery mechanism for both secondary and postsecondary CTE. This regional model ensures that CTE programming is connected to local labor market needs while maintaining statewide quality standards. The state organizes its CTE programs around six service areas that correspond to broad career fields: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Business, Finance, Marketing and Management; Health Science; Human Services; Applied Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing; and Information Solutions. Iowa's CTE system is deeply connected to the state's economic strengths in agriculture, advanced manufacturing, insurance and financial services, and renewable energy. Iowa has been a leader in the Midwest in developing secondary-postsecondary CTE partnerships, with extensive concurrent enrollment and articulation agreements that allow high school students to earn college credits in CTE courses. The state's Regional Planning Partnership model brings together secondary schools, community colleges, employers, and economic development organizations to plan and coordinate CTE programming.

Minnesota operates a robust Career and Technical Education system that leverages the state's diverse economy and strong tradition of educational excellence. The state's CTE programs serve students in secondary schools and postsecondary institutions across all 87 counties, with a focus on preparing learners for careers in high-demand fields. The state benefits from a dynamic economy anchored by major industries including healthcare, technology, agriculture, manufacturing, and financial services. Minnesota's CTE programs are designed to connect students with these employment opportunities through structured career pathways and extensive work-based learning experiences. Minnesota has been a leader in developing articulation agreements between secondary and postsecondary CTE programs, creating seamless transitions for students moving from high school into technical colleges, community colleges, and universities. The state's strong network of two-year institutions provides accessible postsecondary pathways for CTE graduates throughout the state.

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.

North Dakota is unique among states in having a standalone Department of Career and Technical Education, reflecting the state's strong commitment to workforce preparation through career-focused education. This independent agency provides dedicated leadership and resources for CTE programs across the state. North Dakota's CTE system serves students in secondary schools, tribal colleges, and postsecondary institutions, with programs designed to meet the workforce demands of the state's evolving economy. The state's energy sector, particularly oil production in the Bakken region, has created significant demand for skilled workers, while agriculture, healthcare, and technology remain important economic pillars. Despite its small population, North Dakota maintains a comprehensive CTE system that provides students with access to diverse career pathways. The state has invested in building strong partnerships between schools and industries, ensuring that CTE programs prepare students for the specific careers available in their communities.

Wyoming's career and technical education system serves approximately 15,000 secondary students across the state's 48 school districts. As the least populous state in the nation, Wyoming's CTE system is designed to maximize program quality and access despite the challenges posed by vast geographic distances and small student populations. Wyoming's CTE programs are aligned with the state's key economic sectors, including energy, agriculture and ranching, healthcare, construction, and tourism. The state's energy sector, encompassing coal, oil, natural gas, and increasingly wind energy, drives significant demand for CTE programs in energy technology, heavy equipment operation, and related fields. The state's CTE system benefits from strong connections with the University of Wyoming and the state's seven community colleges, which provide postsecondary pathways and dual enrollment opportunities for secondary CTE students. Wyoming has also invested in distance learning technologies and mobile CTE labs to extend program access to students in remote communities.