Career and Technical Education

CTE is: Career and technical education (CTE) provides students with the academic and technical skills, knowledge and training necessary to succeed in future careers and develop skills they will use throughout their careers. CTE prepares students for the world of work by introducing them to workplace competencies, and makes academic content accessible to students by providing it in a hands-on context. CTE is a great way for students to explore a variety of career options early and earn industry certifications prior to graduation.

CTE students have a significantly higher high school graduation rate (90%) than the national average (75%), and their earned college credits help families save thousands of dollars towards a college degree.

CTE classes prepare students for life after school by introducing them to real-world skills and workplace competencies. They are a great way for students to explore a variety of career options early and earn industry certifications prior to graduation.

Talk to your school counselor to learn more about CTE programs that may be available at your school. You can also search for programs by school on the DPS website.

Here are some other options with CTE:

• Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) enhance student learning through contextual instruction, leadership, personal development, applied learning, and real‐world application. CTSOs are intracurricular and work as an integral component of the classroom curriculum and instruction, building upon employability and career skills and concepts through the application and engagement of students in hands‐ on demonstrations and real‐life and/or work experiences through a CTE program.

• Through Work-Based Learning, students can participate in summer programs such as youth apprenticeships and launch internships that will allow them to gain work experiences from different industries and areas of interest, and help them develop skills to be successful in their futures.

• Students will also be able to participate in concurrent enrollment classes during the summer, which allows students to earn free college credit while still in high school, giving them a head start on their college and career goals. Students gain exposure to the academic challenges of college while in their supportive high school environment or on a college campus, earning college and high school credits simultaneously.

If you have any additional questions, you can contact the CTE team at: careerteched.groups@dpsk12.net

Yes! DPS has several middle schools with thriving CTE programs and plans to expand throughout the district in the coming years. Explore our Middle School CTE programs and schools!