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

  • concentric silhouettes of a human head

    How Physical Space Shapes the Mind: Designing for Better Learning Outcomes

    Research in environmental psychology and neuroscience increasingly suggests that the way a room is designed can influence memory, focus, or even a student's sense of belonging.

  • El Paso District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    The Canutillo Independent School District in El Paso, Texas, recently announced that construction has begun on a 119,000-square-foot elementary school, according to a news release. The district partnered with Pfluger Architects, Carl Daniel Architects, and LDCM Solutions on the new Davenport Elementary School, which has an expected completion date of 2027.

  • University of Kentucky Receives $150M Gift Toward New Arts District

    The University of Kentucky’s Board of Trustees recently received a $150-million gift from The Bill Gatton Foundation, according to a university news release, to build a new arts district on the campus in Lexington, Ky. The new district will feature a new College of Fine Arts building and a multi-hundred-seat theater, among other amenities.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part II

    As education leaders look toward 2026, the design of K–12 and higher education facilities is being reshaped by powerful, converging forces. Survey respondents point to the rapid growth of Career and Technical Education, deeper alignment with workforce and industry needs, and the accelerating influence of AI and emerging technologies.

Digital Edition