February is CTE Month: CTE Programs Offer Endless Possibilities

Disponible en: Español

Throughout February, National CTE Month, staff from the CTE Department will visit middle school students as they set their plans in high school and after graduation.

The state’s Division of College, Career, and Military Preparation has engaged members of the workforce, secondary education, and higher education to advise on the development of programs of study, including coherent course sequences, to ensure students are prepared for in-demand, high-skill, and high-wage careers in Texas.

CTE Programs Offer Endless Possibilities

The programs prepare high school students for the global economy and rapidly changing workforce needs of the 21st century. All CTE programs are aligned with established academic and technical skill standards to ensure student preparation for college and careers. These programs also include work-based learning opportunities (e.g., internships, clinical experiences, or industry-mentored projects) tied to the students’ interests. Upon completing a Texas CTE program of study, students can earn college credits and/or industry-recognized credentials such as certifications and licenses.

According to Martin, executive director of CTE, over 20,000 Aldine ISD students are enrolled in CTE programs. The district offers well over 45 programs of study, 93 dual credit courses, and 75 industry-based certifications are provided by the district. AISD students also participate in the CTE program and extend their learning by participating in a CTSO (Career Technical Organization), which provides students with knowledge and leadership skills within CTE pathways. Click here to learn more about the district’s CTE programs.

CTAT Recognizes Aldine ISD as a CTE District of Distinction

Aldine ISD was recently named a 2025 CTE District of Distinction by the Career and Technical Association of Texas (CTAT). CTAT introduced the District of Distinction program in 2024 to recognize Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that meet exacting standards. This prestigious designation is open to all districts that meet the stringent guidelines set by the CTAT Board and executive committee.

Brooke Martin, AISD executive director of CTE, expressed her appreciation for the recognition, stating, “We are honored to be awarded as a Career & Technical Association of Texas (CTAT) CTE District of Distinction. This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our entire CTE team and community. We are proud to be among the districts leading the way in providing transformative educational experiences. Our future-focused CTE opportunities across the district, including our P-TECH programs at Avalos and Carver, our CTE programs at Blanson, and the HEAL program at Nimitz, prepare our students for success after high school.”

What You Need to Know

Explore!: Students start to explore CTE careers in middle school, and in high school, they participate in CTE classes based on their interests. Students applying to Choice Schools like Avalos P-TECH School, Blanson CTE High School, and Carver P-TECH School select their top choices and are informed of their awarded program of study or “major.”

New This School Year

The Health Education and Learning High School, or HEAL High School, shares a campus with Nimitz High School and fully integrates healthcare career knowledge and job training with a high-quality, well-rounded high school experience for students in the Houston area, graduating students directly into high-demand health care jobs with family-sustaining wages.

Memorial Hermann Health System and Aldine ISD partnered to design a career-technical education (CTE) high school in Houston. The Health Education And Learning (HEAL) Program at Nimitz High School integrates healthcare career knowledge and job training with a high-quality high school experience. The program opened in the summer of 2024 and will expand to serve approximately 760 over four years. The HEAL Program is part of a multi-million dollar initiative led by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The program offers academic programming, specialized healthcare classes, work-based learning, and industry-valued credentials. HEAL offers academic programming, specialized healthcare classes, work-based learning, and the opportunity to earn industry-valued credentials, certifications, and traditional high school learning and diplomas. This initiative will also allow students to gain direct work experience and access to rewarding jobs within Memorial Hermann immediately following graduation. (Learn more HERE.)

For more information about HEAL High School and other specialized schools, visit the Choice Schools webpage.

Want More Information About Career Clusters?

The CTE career clusters are organized to encourage integrated learning between the different CTE and academic programs. Visit the CTE Department website (click on the Teacher Resources link) to view programs by campus and by career clusters.

You can also visit the Texas CTE website or the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) Approved Statewide CTE Programs of Study. The state agency websites share information from courses to future salary expectations in a career cluster.