Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Career And Technical Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Denton ISD expands K–12 CTE and reports thousands of industry certifications
Summary
CTE staff told the board the district is broadening career and technical education into a K–12 pathway, reporting increased LeGron Academy enrollment, about 3,200 industry certifications last year with an 85% pass rate, and noted TEA changes that have sun‑set some certifications affecting CCMR accountability points.
Will, speaking for Denton ISD’s Career & Technical Education team, presented an annual report on Aug. 26 highlighting a district plan to expand CTE into a K–12 experience. He said the district is piloting career awareness in elementary STEM campuses, introducing career exploration at middle schools and providing career experiences — including internships and field trips — at high schools.
Will presented enrollment and program data: roughly 1,300 seventh‑grade students are enrolled in CTE courses, more than 3,400 seniors are enrolled in CTE at the high school level, and LeGron Academy’s full‑time student count is 256 (with a larger seat count reflecting students taking multiple CTE courses). Last year students earned about 3,200 industry‑based certifications across 72 certification types offered by the district, with an 85% pass rate.
Board members and staff discussed how decisions by the Texas Education Agency to ‘‘sunset’’ certain TEA‑approved certifications affect CCMR (College, Career, and Military Readiness) accountability points even when the skills remain valuable for employment. Will and trustees said the district may continue to offer certain certifications that no longer generate CCMR points, while seeking additional TEA‑approved options for the same courses.
The presentation noted partnerships with local employers to support internships and the Fire Academy, and an aim to use communications content — including student video highlights — to promote CTE pathways earlier in students’ schooling. Trustees thanked staff for the work; no formal action was taken.
