From high school to career: 6 CTE trends to track in 2026
Innovative Teaching
Students should leave high school prepared for rigorous learning and a competitive workforce
From high school to career: 6 CTE trends to track in 2026
States and employers are increasingly integrating CTE into broader workforce and talent development strategies
New partnership expands access to flexible career-connected learning
Project Lead The Way partners with the Indiana Microschool Collaborative to provide learning units designed for microschools and other emerging education models
Building pathways to purpose: How we can empower students for an uncertain future
The most powerful opportunities for students become available and accessible when multiple organizations come together to support their success
2026 prediction: AI may unleash the most entrepreneurial generation we’ve ever seen
Today's students are future innovators in a landscape where powerful new tools of creation are sitting right in front of them
The three P’s of writing a memorable college essay
Authentic college essays result from an insightful process that uncovers the writer’s personality without obsessing over perfection
Measuring student global competency learning using direct peer connections
Global competency can be taught--and measured--with simple but powerful strategies educators everywhere can use
Decision Education: A new approach to driving STEM workforce readiness
By integrating Decision Education into STEM, teachers can make learning more relevant and accessible to all students
More teens are using summer for college and career prep
Teens are more focused on professional and financial success than on traditional milestones such as marriage and family life
The end of one-direction career pathways: Why empowering students sets the best course for future success
Schools have the opportunity to help students identify their desired lifestyle, existing strengths, and possible career paths
Powering college readiness through community partnerships
Too many Texas high school students graduate unprepared for college. We need collective action to close the gap
How CTE inspires long and fulfilling careers
CTE offers something few other educational pathways can match: a direct, skills-based progression from classroom learning to career readiness
Making career readiness meaningful in today’s classrooms
Career readiness programs help students see the relevance of their learning and give them the confidence to pursue their goals
They love me, they love me not: Smart strategies to help students find the perfect college
Every student can find a college or university that aligns with their goals and abilities, but doing so is both an art and a science
Why mentorship networks are essential in the college admissions process
A supportive network can alleviate the school counselor shortage and help high school students navigate the process
AI, CTE are key to preparing students for future careers
Rising educator confidence in career-connected learning and growing urgency for AI tools that build--not bypass--students’ essential skills
Tools and ideas to engage students in career-connected learning
Career connections ensure that all students graduate prepared, inspired, and equipped to thrive
Choice-ready: Exploring a new standard for preparing students for the future of work
Instead of preparing students for a fixed destination, we must prepare them to navigate change itself
Just thank ChatGPT: How teens turned a secret tool into a shared success
AI isn’t going away--it’s already the silent partner in many students’ academic journeys
Students are anxious about the future with AI–their parents are, too
In an era when the college-going rate of high school graduates has dropped, AI appears to be heightening anxieties about the value of college
How to strengthen student workforce readiness with classroom and career connections
Educators and leaders must ensure the current education system meets students’ needs and blends academic learning with career preparation
Integrating technology in CTE classrooms
Embracing technology in CTE helps prepare a future-ready workforce adept at leveraging technology for problem-solving and innovation
Middle and high school students need education, career guidance
Students need early access to opportunities that empowers them to explore careers that match their interests and strengths
Teachers see online learning as critical for workforce readiness in 2025
High school educators report at least half of their curriculum will focus on skills-based learning
Many states picked diploma pathways over high school exit exams. Did students benefit?
Diploma pathways appear to have helped more students who aren’t college-bound to graduate, but they also have created new issues and replicated some old ones
Most students aren’t ready for life after high school
Too many classrooms still lack career-connected learning opportunities that help students see how their education applies in the real world
Students learn the basics of AI as they weigh its use in their future careers
Lessons provide students with hands-on exercises to better understand how AI works and how they can use it in their daily lives
With VR goggles, students in detention centers gain career training
When students have access to career training modules through VR goggles, they can focus on building successful career paths in school
Career-connected learning builds a more employable, future-ready generation
If we pair students’ strengths with in-demand careers through personalized learning, we are ensuring the success of our students and tomorrow’s workforce
Prepared for tomorrow: Reimagining readiness in Indiana education
To transform education, teachers need tools and confidence to thrive in evolving classrooms
A new kind of high school diploma trades chemistry for carpentry
Attitudes toward high school CTE courses--once largely thought of as classes for students who struggled academically--have improved significantly over the years
The 5 dimensions of AI literacy
The framework focuses on general AI literacy for all, as well as specialized AI literacy that can be adapted to different disciplines and jurisdictions
From curiosity to clarity: Showcasing career paths to young learners
By asking the right questions, educators can help students connect their passions with meaningful career opportunities
How 3 districts reimagined high school and the future of work
Student-driven learning and personalized pathways empower students to understand their strengths and identify their aspirations
SkillsUSA competitions give students hands-on experience with career skills
SkillsUSA members consistently outperform peers not enrolled in a career and technical student organization in seven essential areas
The power of goal setting: A skill for lifelong success
No matter the educational environment, setting clear goals helps students channel their energy in the right direction
How CTE supports college and career readiness
Career and technical education isn’t just about learning skills—it’s about shaping futures
8 questions every student should ask before choosing a college
College choice is about more than just academics--it’s about finding a place to grow, succeed, and feel at home
Online learning in high school helps students explore career pathways
Taking career-related courses in high school broadens students’ horizons--and also helps them narrow their choices
Empowering students to earn college credit from high school classrooms
Opening doors to college credits while still in high school helps students gain a powerful head start on their journey to higher education and future success
5 CTE trends to track in 2025
