Nine Career Technical Education Programs Of Study Honored For Their Excellence

WASHINGTON, DC  — On April 9, nine programs of study were recognized as "Excellence in Action" award winners, representing the best Career Technical Education (CTE) has to offer. These programs of study were selected based on their uniquely inventive and effective approaches to stimulating student learning, offering extensive work-based learning experiences, maintaining strong partnerships with industry and community organizations, and preparing students for postsecondary and career success.

The National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc) is pleased to recognize the following award winners:

  • Agriculture, Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, IL (Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Cluster)
  • Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, Upper Valley Career Center, OH (Architecture & Construction Career Cluster)
  • Academy for Business and Finance, Bergen County Technical Schools – Bergen County Academies, NJ (Business Management & Administration Career Cluster)
  • Emergency Medical Services, Walters State Community College, TN (Health Science Career Cluster)
  • Culinary Arts Academy, Lorain County Joint Vocational School, OH (Hospitality & Tourism Career Cluster)
  • Early Childhood Education, Henderson County High School, KY (Human Services Career Cluster)
  • Welding Technology Program, Butte-Glenn Community College, CA (Manufacturing Career Cluster)
  • Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography, Marine Academy of Science and Technology, NJ (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Career Cluster)
  • Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Academy, Omaha Bryan High School, NE (Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Career Cluster)

"These Excellence in Action award winners exemplify everything that high-quality CTE programs can and should be," says Kimberly Green, executive director of NASDCTEc. "These programs have students graduating at above-average rates, are aligned with employer and industry needs and certification standards and build meaningful partnerships, all to prepare students to succeed in their careers."

Two-page profiles of each winner, detailing their unique strengths and opportunities are available at the NASDCTEc website.

About NASDCTEc
The National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc) was established in 1920 to represent the state and territory heads of secondary, postsecondary and adult Career Technical Education (CTE) across the nation. NASDCTEc, through leadership, advocacy and partnerships, aims to support an innovative CTE system that prepares individuals to succeed in education and their careers, and poises the United States to flourish in a global, dynamic economy.

Featured

  • Spaces4Learning Announces 2026 Product Award Winners

    Spaces4Learning has just announced the winners of the 2026 Product Awards! The award program spotlights outstanding product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products or services are considered to be particularly noteworthy in their ability to enhance K–12 and higher-education learning environments.

  • Indiana University Launches Capital Campus in D.C.

    Indiana University recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new IU Capital Campus in Washington, D.C., according to university news. The eight-story facility will provide a central hub for the university’s existing programs and business operations based in D.C., uniting them under one roof and providing the opportunity to expand.

  • Cleveland High School Breaks Ground on Modernization

    Portland Public Schools in Portland, Ore., recently announced that construction has begun on a modernization project for Cleveland High School, according to a news release. The existing building will be replaced with a new, 300,000-square-foot facility at the same site.

  • Compton High School

    Compton High School

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Compton High School has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.