Mesquite ISD reports year-over-year growth in CTE participation, industry certifications and national competition qualifiers

Mesquite ISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program served 11,939 students in 2024–25 and reported increases in industry-based certifications, dual-credit hours and participation in regional, state and national competitions, district staff told trustees Sept. 16.

CTE coordinator and staff described 4,107 industry-based certifications awarded during the school year, a 34–37% year-over-year increase in certifications, and 914 dual-credit hours earned across programs such as early learning, fire science and automotive technology. The district reported 440 students advanced from regionals and 297 reached state competitions; 43 students qualified for national-level competitions. Workforce partnerships include more than 230 business and industry partners who provide internships, job shadowing, pre-apprenticeship and mentorship opportunities.

District staff emphasized the “completer” metric tied to College, Career and Military Readiness (CCMR): a completer is a student who finishes the prescribed program-of-study sequence (three or more courses) and earns an industry-based certification. The board heard that the district’s completer rates have grown over the last three years; for example, the class of 2025 completer-plus-IBC rates were 18% at Mesquite High School and 10% at North Mesquite High School. Staff said the district intends to focus on increasing internships, tightening pathways and expanding middle-school outreach to improve pipeline and CCMR outcomes.

Board members praised individual success stories: two 2024 graduates employed at a local physical-therapy provider were cited as examples of CTE preparing students immediately for the workforce. Trustees and staff discussed staffing challenges in technical areas—particularly computer science and trade-related programs—where competing private-sector wages make teacher recruitment difficult. The CTE team said they use cross-campus delivery models and regional collaboration to maintain program access across campuses.

Why it matters: CTE completers with certifications and dual credit can enter the workforce or continue postsecondary training directly after high school. Growth in certifications and employer partnerships indicates the district’s investment in career pathways and postsecondary readiness.

Discussion versus decision: The presentation was informational; no formal board action was taken on CTE program items at the meeting. Trustees requested follow-up on staffing strategies and potential industry contacts (for example, connections for oil-and-gas pathways).

What’s next: District staff will continue expanding internship opportunities, pursue targeted grants (e.g., Lasso grant for computer science expansion and a $30,000 Teacher pipeline grant with Texas Woman’s University), and track completer and CCMR progress for upcoming accountability changes.