Paving Pathways to Purpose

Career and Technical Education

Expanding Options

The Importance of CTE

While a strong academic foundation provides roots, dynamic career development programs help students access professional pathways aligned with their promise. The most forward-thinking career and technical education (CTE) understands that real-world skill-building must begin before graduation.

Our ‘Schools That Inspire’ awards recognize educational institutions that ignite a passion for learning in students from an early age. These institutions seamlessly integrate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with project-based and work-based learning, revealing potential career paths. By weaving these exploratory experiences into their curricula, our awardees lay a solid foundation that encourages students to explore, thrive, and grow.

What Makes For an Inspiring Career and Technical Education Program?

Three core pillars—rigor, relevance, and relationships—characterize programs that expose students to new knowledge and industry learning for lifelong impact. By intertwining industry exposure, networking, and competency credentials throughout the student journey, these standout programs ensure readiness through systems that empower youth to question and actualize careers driving Houston’s future.

Rigor: Pushing Students to Think Bigger

Rigorous CTE programs open students' eyes and minds to think about the world differently; they serve as entry points for students to dream bigger.

The best programs recognize the boundless potential of kids to achieve anything, challenging the outdated notion that vocational programs merely serve as fallbacks to college. These programs equip students to think broadly about their futures while anchoring opportunities in real-world applications.

Rigorous CTE programs feature educators with deep experience in their respective fields, committed to delivering engaging and effective instruction. They maintain a curriculum that stays current, well-structured, and aligns with industry standards, while ensuring a challenging and rewarding learning experience for students.

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Cross Collaboration: A Gateway to Comprehensive Learning

At C.E. King High School in Sheldon ISD, a model of inclusive education prevails where all teachers and students engage and collaborate across disciplines, ensuring consistency in learning language and content quality. Every student enrolls in an Academy, each offering distinct tracks to spark inspiration and foster success. The school hosts six Academies with over 27 programs in total, including the Future Business Leaders Academy, Medical Academy, Early College, STEAM, and others.

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Future-Proofing Careers: Where Academics Meet Industry

The Alief ISD Marshall Center for Advanced Careers epitomizes educational excellence and rigor by integrating rigorous academic coursework with the pursuit of industry-recognized certifications. Through this dynamic approach, students actively engage with both theoretical concepts and practical skills, both vital for navigating today’s competitive job market.

For instance, the Engineering – Process Technology program harnesses Oculus VR technology to create immersive learning environments to actively prepare students for the Certified Production Technician (CPT) certification from the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council (MSSC).

Similarly, the Welding program sets high standards and adopts a hands-on approach, training students for American Welding Society (AWS) certifications. Through this training, students develop the essential skills in diverse welding techniques and safety protocols, crucial for the construction and manufacturing sectors.

In another standout example, students engaged in the the Digital Design program explore a curriculum that leads to Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) certifications, while sharpening their skills in digital communication tools vital for careers in graphic design, web development, and digital media.

Through these focused, certification-driven programs, the Alief ISD Center for Advanced Careers demonstrates its dedication to not just academically challenging students but also arming them with the credentials and competencies for professional success.

Relevance: Doing Work That Matters

To face the fast-changing economic landscapes, the most inspiring CTE programs balance future orientation with present-day relevance.

The most inspiring CTE programs concentrate on specific fields while equipping students with relevant skills that enhance their competitiveness across various industries.

These programs acknowledge the relevance and competitiveness of their industry-based certifications in today’s job market. They consistently evaluate their offerings against industry demands and future job market trends. Most importantly, they steer students towards recognizing their strengths and interests and aligning them with industry needs.

Through strong CTE programs, students are offered more than just an education; they are given a roadmap to success in highly competitive, evolving industries. CTE programs that inspire create a core culture of belonging, collaboration, relevance, and rigor to ensure that graduates are not only prepared for the challenges of their chosen careers but are also poised to lead and innovate in their respective fields.

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Real-World Readiness: Strategic Career Training Programs

By aligning its curriculum with workforce demands, the Alief ISD Marshall Center for Advanced Careers ensures its programs remain highly relevant. It offers students hands-on experience and skills that translate directly into career opportunities.

For instance, the Automotive Technology program equips students with practical vehicle maintenance and repair skills to prepare them for National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification while providing them opportunities to develop soft skills through real-world customer engagement.

The Health Sciences program excels in preparing students for healthcare careers by providing pathways to certifications such as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Pharmacy Technician Certification (PTC), making students qualified professionals ready to enter a high-demand industry.

The Welding program at the Alief ISD Marshall Center for Advanced Careers is not just about welding. It’s about developing proficiency in techniques crucial across sectors, preparing students for American Welding Society (AWS) certifications. This opens up opportunities in high-demand industries ranging from aerospace to infrastructure.

By focusing on high-demand real-world skills, the Alief ISD Center for Advanced Careers ensures its offerings are relevant today and critical to students’ future professional advancement and success.

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Adaptive Learning: Engaging Students in Relevant, Real-World Education

C.E. King High School actively engages students by continuously assessing the relevance of its curriculum to their personal and professional lives, asking them to consider, ‘Is this relevant to me and the world around me? ‘

Additionally, every two years, C.E. King conducts a thorough industry scan. This process confirms each program’s current relevance and helps identify emerging fields and technologies. Based on these insights, the school dynamically adjusts its curriculum, adding new programs that meet emerging needs and phasing out less relevant ones. Through this proactive approach, the school keeps educational development at the forefront while ensuring students receive training that is both contemporary and applicable to the real world.

Relationships: The Power of Social Capital

The way students tap into careers and social mobility is as much about what they know as the relationships they build.

Guiding students on a path to discover their professional purpose requires the creation of spaces where learners feel secure enough to take risks. A space where classroom and campus leaders intentionally nurture environments, where students feel safe questioning assumptions and exploring careers without judgment. From community building workshops addressing vulnerability, to peer storytelling spotlights, inspirational schools champion opportunities where young adults can gain the courage they need to lean into promising vocations brimming with potential.

Career readiness blooms brighter through dialogue and team innovation and schools that shine the brightest curate collaborative spaces – from peer mentoring to cross-disciplinary project teams – for students to transform ideas into realities while mobilizing strengths. These are not places where, starting at age 14, children are stuck on a “track,” but rather communities of strengths-based interest cultivation that expand students’ knowledge of opportunities. By spotlighting shared challenges and celebrating collective wins, these Schools that Inspire model the cooperative ethic powering workplaces where all contributions carry value.

Social capital holds immense power, encapsulated in the idea that ‘It’s not just who you know, but also who knows you.’ The most effective CTE programs expose students to industry professionals and provide safe environments for practicing workplace behaviors, social intelligence, and other skills crucial for social mobility. By fostering relationships with industry leaders and school staff, students develop a practical understanding of the ‘real world’ and learn strategies to successfully navigate it.

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Expanding Horizons: CTE Programs That Fosters Opportunity and Growth

At C.E. King High School, the CTE program aims to broaden horizons and open doors for students.

As school leader Shante emphasizes, ‘our job is to remove roadblocks,’ highlighting that certifications equip students with valuable opportunities.

Instead of constraining students to choose a career path at the ages of 14-15, the staff of C.E. King focuses on creating a virtuous cycle of exposure and knowledge by aiming to eliminate barriers to future economic possibilities and equip students with practical tools for post-secondary success.

For example, students might learn cosmetology skills like haircutting to support themselves through college, or acquire foundational knowledge that facilitates further certifications, all starting from their high school education.

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Collaborative Learning: Preparing Students for Professional Success Through Teamwork

Group learning and collaboration take center stage at the Alief ISD Marshall Center for Advanced Careers, underscoring the school’s commitment to arming students with the skills to effectively develop and manage professional relationships.

For example, in the Digital Design program students collaborate on projects targeting Adobe Certified Associate certifications . From developing digital marketing campaigns to designing user interfaces, the experiences aim to simulate real-world environments where designers, developers, and marketers unite to achieve common goals.

Similarly, Culinary Arts students tackle the ServSafe certification through projects aimed at helping them develop the cooperative skills necessary for future careers managing kitchens, planning menus, and coordinating large-scale catering events.

Beyond the classroom, leaders at Marshall actively cultivate a campus culture that promotes career exploration and critical questioning.

Whether through community-building workshops focusing on vulnerability or peer storytelling sessions, the school provides platforms for students to gain confidence and advance toward promising, potential-rich careers.

Community Organizations

Empowering Houston's Youth: Eight Million Stories' Comprehensive Approach to Career and Educational Development

This year, we proudly spotlight Eight Million Stories (8MS) and their commitment to equipping at-promise youth in Houston with crucial career and educational opportunities for a thriving future. The innovative programs, 8MS Ed and 8MS Works, deliver personalized education paired with hands-on career training in high-demand local industries.

More than just career and professional readiness, 8MS actively enhances student capabilities through resume writing workshops, interview skill development, and leadership training. This comprehensive preparation readies students for the workforce. By focusing on both technical and soft skills, 8MS ensures students become well-rounded, equipped to face life’s challenges confidently.

With a joyful and proactive approach, 8MS guides students to envision and prepare for successful careers, transforming aspirations into tangible achievements. This dynamic method not only builds essential skills but also fosters a strong sense of community and self-worth among participants. Ultimately, 8MS reinforces the transformative power of career and technical education.

Check out the video below to learn more about Eight Million Stories.

8MS aims to change the way the youth see themselves and the possibilities their lives hold. We work to equip students with technical knowledge, yes, but we also work to make sure that our students feel seen. Seen, respected, and valued. Our program is about equipping students with the skills, relationships, and knowledge to change the trajectory of their lives.” – Marvin Pierre, founder 8 MS

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