Career Technical Education (CTE) provides learners with the knowledge and skills they need to be prepared for college and careers. CTE gives purpose to learning by emphasizing real-world skills and practical knowledge within a selected career focus.

Students in CTE programs take specialized courses, in addition to required courses, and often have the opportunity to participate in internships, engage with mentors and practice what they are learning through hands-on projects.

Washburn Rural High School offers 15 Career Pathways for students to explore and discover their passion.

• CTE provides a strong pathway for learners to prepare for the future of work by:

• Equipping learners with real-world skills, such as entrepreneurial and employability skills, that are foundational and transferable across rapidly shifting sectors and work activities

• Placing learners on a path to postsecondary credential attainment that translates into high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand occupations

• Bringing business and industry to the table to ensure that CTE programs are relevant and future-focused;

• Closing achievement and opportunity gaps by placing an intentional focus on equity and providing each learner with an opportunity for career success

• Supporting learners’ efforts to upskill through programs of study that support stackable and short-term credentials of value; and Encouraging partnerships between K-12, postsecondary and industry through a program of study frameworks.