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Carlsbad Unified reports large gains in CTE participation, expands industry partnerships
Summary
District officials told the board the three‑year Career Technical Education strategic plan has driven major growth: double‑digit increases in pathway completers and more than 10,000 work‑based learning experiences reported in 2025, with new industry and college partnerships planned.
Carlsbad Unified School District leaders on the board’s agenda Tuesday highlighted rapid growth in the district’s Career Technical Education (CTE) and career‑pathway work.
Dr. Michael Ecker, director of secondary education, told trustees the district has recorded an 88% increase in pathway completers and a 93% increase in participants since 2021, and said reported work‑based learning experiences exceeded 10,000 in 2025, up from 9,849 the year before. “We view career education as central to our mission and vision here in CUSD,” Dr. Ecker said.
Nicole Morsch, the district’s career education specialist, said the program’s expansion includes the first pathway completers at Carlsbad Village Academy and more after‑school workshops in resume building, financial literacy and employability skills. She described partnerships with local industry and colleges, including visits this week to a new biotechnology facility at MiraCosta College to expose students to laboratory techniques.
District staff and the Carlsbad Ed Foundation pitched in on funding and logistics: Laura Pitts, CEO of the foundation, described recent teacher grants that helped equip CTE classrooms and said her organization awarded 15 secondary teacher grants totaling $50,000. The district presentation listed braided funding sources, grants and CEF contributions as central to equipment and program expansion.
Trustees asked how the district tracks long‑term outcomes for pathway students. Dr. Ecker said the district surveys completers and receives regional labor‑market data; he acknowledged response rates are imperfect but said the follow‑up shows many alumni continue in pathway fields. The board and staff discussed plans to expand dual enrollment and portable credentials and to add employability and AI‑awareness components to coursework.
The presentation was informational; trustees did not take formal action on the strategic plan Tuesday but expressed broad support and asked staff to continue reporting metrics and funding needs.
