About CTE
What is Career Technical Education (CTE)?
Duarte Unified School District and the Foothill K12 Consortium have collaborated to develop Career Technical Education pathways that bridge the employment gap and create students that are college and career ready. The purpose of Career Technical Education (CTE) is to provide students with the opportunity to acquire skills that prepare them for successful continuing education or career advancement.
In the Duarte Unified School District, we have developed career pathways, which allows students to integrate core classes with CTE classes; incorporate academics with real world applications, and problem based learning.
CTE courses are relevant, reality-based courses that provide hands-on project-based activities. Students gain exposure and experience with industry-leading methods, equipment and software. CTE classes also provide industry certifications. The primary objectives for career technical education are:
- To give students hands-on experience, better understanding, and the skills needed in their selected pathway, allowing students the option to pursue immediately emplotment, further education, or both.
- To provide students with an awareness of the structure and future trends within high skill and high wage industries to increase students' career options, giving them a better idea for post-secondary education.
- To provide both superior school and work-based learning experiences.
What does this mean for Duarte students?
In addition to college prep classes, you can experience hands-on training in a specific career area to see if you really want to invest your time, post-secondary education and money into becoming a photographer, chef, filmmaker, actor, musician, trade worker, or business entrepreneur, after graduating high school.
Students will have the opportunity to learn the skills necessary to successfully transition from high school to career and beyond. Ultimately, students will be able to pursue rewarding and well-paying jobs and/or continue their education in college or technical school.