Q What is career and technical education?
A Career and technical education prepares both youth and adults for a wide range of careers. These careers may require varying levels of education – from high school and postsecondary certificates to two- and four-year college degrees.

Q What subject areas are covered by career and technical education?
A Career and technical education covers a variety of challenging fields in diverse subject areas which are constantly evolving due to the changing global economy. Some of the career areas that students may enter through career and technical education include: Agriculture (farmers, animal scientists, turf grass specialists); Trade and Industrial (automotive technicians, carpenters, electricians); Business and Marketing (entrepreneurs, financial officers, arts/graphics designers); Family and Consumer Sciences (management and life skills, executive chefs, hotel managers); Health Occupations (nurses, physical therapists, biomedical engineers); Public Safety and Security (EMTs, emergency management and response coordinators); and Technology (3D animator, computer engineer, biotechnical engineer). 

Q Where is career and technical education offered?
A In middle schools, high schools, two-year community and technical colleges and other postsecondary institutions.

Q How is it offered?
A Public middle schools in the U.S. typically offer some career and technical education courses, such as family and consumer sciences and technology education (a modular sequence of courses that enables students to explore a variety of technology-based careers). High school programs are offered either within a "comprehensive" high school or in separate "area career and technical schools." In some states, such as Delaware, both academic and technical courses are offered in full-time career and technical high schools. Usually career and technical programs are offered as a sequence of courses that are supplemented by work-based experiences such as internships or apprenticeships.

Q Is career and technical education only for students who are not college bound?
A No. Career and technical education can provide a foundation of skills that enables high school graduates to be gainfully employed -- either full-time or while in college. Nearly two-thirds of all high school graduates of career and technical programs enter some form of postsecondary program. Rigorous academic content tied to technical subject matter ensures that these students will be ready for college. The internships and other cooperative work experiences that are a hallmark of technical education are attractive to all students who want to get a head start on a career, whether that career goal is doctor or nurse, automotive technician or computer scientist. Student career organizations for every subject area also help students acquire the employability and leadership skills that will enable them to succeed in the workplace. Tech Prep programs link high school and community college curricula to help students make a smooth transition to postsecondary education and careers.

Q How many career and technical students are there in the United States?
A There are over 15 million secondary and postsecondary career and technical education students in the United States, according to the latest U.S. Department of Education statistics.

Q How many career and technical programs are there in the United States?
A Across the country, career and technical education programs are offered in about 11,000 comprehensive high schools, several hundred career and technical high schools and about 1,400 area career tech centers, which serve students from several "sending" high schools. About 9,400 postsecondary institutions offer technical programs, including community colleges, technical institutes, skill centers and other public and private two- and four-year colleges.

Q Has anyone compiled a list of leading career and technical programs?
A The U.S. Department of Education has named career and technical education programs to its "New American High Schools" list and the Office of Vocational and Adult Education also has recognized programs with awards. ACTE has created the Promising Practices and Programs Web page to highlight career and technical education programs. ACTE and the American Automobile Manufacturers Association sponsor Awards for Excellence in Automotive Training.

Q How is career and technical education funded?
A Programs receive about $1.3 billion annually from the federal government through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. That represents about 8-10 percent of budgets for these programs, which receive most of their funding from local and state revenue. Other laws, such as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Higher Education Act, and the Workforce Investment Act also fund programs.

Q Is there any proof career and technical education works?
A Yes, according to many studies. Career and technical education graduates are 10-15 percent more likely to be in the labor force, and earn 8-9 percent more than graduates of academic programs, according to a 2001 Russell Sage Foundation study. A ratio of one CTE class for every two academic classes was shown to minimize the risk of students dropping out in a 2005 National Research Center for Career and Technical Education (NCCTE) report. Career and technical education concentrators take more and higher level math than their general education counterparts, according to a 2002 NCCTE study. ACTE has more evidence that career and technical education works on the Research and Resources Web page. 

Q How can I learn more about career and technical education?
A Visit the ACTE publications and ACTE Store pages on this site, or connect to related organizations through our "Links" section.