State reviews CTE outcomes and flexible pathways as agencies await APA study

State education officials told legislators that Vermont’s career and technical education (CTE) system serves thousands of students but faces structural and equity questions that an outside consultant’s forthcoming report will address.

Ruth Durkee, state director of Career Technical Education at the Agency of Education, said 5,262 students participated in CTE in the 2022–23 school year and 3,016 met the federal definition of “program concentrator.” She said 96.77% of concentrators graduated in four years and that program‑quality metrics included 58.31% of concentrators earning at least one postsecondary industry‑recognized credential, 39.88% earning college credits through CTE, and 44.49% participating in work‑based learning.

Why it matters: CTE is a key pathway into…