Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs support local middle and high school programs that provide 21st-century, academic and technical skills for all students. Teachers participate in the professional development of curricula and instruction, standards and assessment, and academic integration.

For more information on how CTE is designed, please review the Washington State CTE Program Standards.

Approval Process

Every CTE course is approved by OSPI through the Course Application process in EDS. Course applications include course frameworks, extended learning opportunities, skills gap information and more.

Carl D. Perkins Act

The purpose of the Carl D. Perkins Act is to develop more fully the academic and career and technical skills of secondary education students and postsecondary education students who elect to enroll in career and technical education programs.

Program of Study & Career Clusters

See a list of CTE career goals and job skills, post-high school, used to further their academic and hands-on education and training.

Resources & Essentials 

Find a compiled list of resources like the course and program approval charts, leadership templates, toolkits, and more!

Skill Centers

Skill centers are regional secondary schools that serve high school students from multiple school districts.

Work-Integrated Learning Advisory Committee

The advisory committee was tasked with providing advice to the legislature, and the education and workforce sectors, on creating opportunities for students to explore and understand a wide range of career-related opportunities.

CTE Graduation Pathway

• Approved Local CTE Pathways (updated September 2022)
• Local CTE Graduation Pathway Approval Form (now located in Graduation Alternatives application in EDS)
• Local CTE Graduation Pathway EDS Submission Tutorial (updated January 2022)
• Form Instructions (updated January 2021)