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State board official outlines growth in career technical education; students describe leadership gains
Summary
Joshua Whitworth, interim administrator for Career Technical Education, presented CTE participation and outcome data; two student leaders described how CTSOs (BPA and SkillsUSA) supported leadership and workforce readiness. Committee members asked about industry engagement, CTSO integration and GED access.
Joshua Whitworth, executive director for the State Board of Education and interim administrator of the Division of Career Technical Education, briefed the committee on participation and program design in Idaho's CTE system. Whitworth said the state integrates secondary, postsecondary and technical college pathways and highlighted growth in enrollment and credentialing.
"Roughly 72,000 students are enrolled in CTE programs," Whitworth said, adding that about 71% of high school students take at least one CTE course and that the system has grown substantially in recent years. He described a process in which industry helps set program standards and assess "criticality" for skills so course content matches employer needs.
Two student leaders testified about how career and technical student organizations (CTSOs) supported their development. Nicole Dumitrascu, secondary vice president of membership for Idaho Business Professionals of America, said BPA gave her professional and public-speaking skills and "the confidence to run for State Officer." Kenzie Banks, Idaho SkillsUSA high school state president, described overcoming shyness through hands-on classes and SkillsUSA leadership training.
Nut graf: The presentation stressed that CTE is designed as a stackable, industry-aligned pathway from middle/high school through technical colleges; Whitworth presented enrollment, completion and placement metrics and described close industry involvement in curriculum and assessment. Students and committee members emphasized leadership, communication skills and broad access to CTSOs.
Committee members asked how the CTE "criticality" surveys are developed; Whitworth and staff said industry sits with department teams to rate how critical particular skills are to employer needs. Teresa Danielson, director of student leadership, explained that CTSOs are integrated with Perkins-funded CTE pathways and that when a district receives Perkins funds for a program the expectation is there will be a CTSO chapter tied to that pathway. She told the committee that whether advisors receive stipends varies by district.
Representatives asked for data and follow-up: Representative Tanner requested a breakdown of program concentrations and locations; Whitworth said staff would provide program- and location-level data. Representative Hawkins asked about GED access in Benewah County; Whitworth said staff would follow up.
Ending: The committee received the briefing, heard student testimony illustrating leadership outcomes, and asked staff for additional data and follow-up on GED availability. No committee action or vote was taken on policy changes during the presentation.
