State board official and students outline growth, industry ties in career technical education

Joshua Whitworth, executive director for the State Board of Education and interim administrator of the Division of Career & Technical Education (CTE), presented an overview of CTE programs and outcomes to the House Education Committee. Whitworth described growth in secondary and postsecondary participation, employer partnerships, and program-standard development with industry input.

"The mission of career technical education is to prioritize youth and adults for high skill in demand careers," Whitworth said, and he told the committee that roughly 72,000 students are enrolled in CTE programs statewide and that about 71% of high school students take at least one CTE course. He said enrollment in CTE had grown substantially over recent years and pointed to a 49% increase over four years and a notable spike in 2024.

Whitworth described the system from middle and high school CTE through six technical colleges and other postsecondary providers, saying programs produce stackable credentials that lead to certificates, associate degrees and further study. He told members that roughly 1,800 students were awarded certificates and degrees in the last year, that technical colleges offer about 215 active programs, and that workforce training centers served roughly 51,000 individuals.

Two student leaders testified about how student-led career and technical student organizations (CTSOs) complemented classroom instruction. Nicole Dumitrascu, identified as the secondary vice president of membership for Idaho Business Professionals of America (BPA), told the committee her BPA experiences built her public-speaking skills and confidence: "Before BPA, public speaking terrified me. ... BPA changed all that for me." Kenzie Banks, Idaho SkillsUSA state high school president, described growing from a shy chapter officer into a state officer who now advocates at events and with legislators.

Committee members asked how CTE standards and course content are developed. Whitworth said industry participates directly in a "criticality" survey and standard-setting process so that program outcomes match employer needs. He also said Perkins funding creates expectations that programs have an affiliated CTSO when Perkins funds a pathway; Teresa Danielson, director of student leadership, told the committee that CTSOs are integrated into CTE and that whether an adviser receives a stipend varies by district.

Members asked for follow-up data and local service details. Representative Tanner requested program-breakdown data by concentration; Whitworth's staff agreed to provide additional data. Representative Hawkins raised access gaps for GED services in Benewah County; Whitworth said staff would follow up. The committee did not take formal action on CTE at this hearing.