February is Career and Technical Education, or CTE, month. CTE programs are designed to engage students in relevant experiences to help prepare them for a competitive workforce.

According to a press release, here are some acts about Queen Creek Unified School District’s CTE programs:

• Students can earn certificates
  Students participating in CTE programs have the opportunity to earn industry certifications as they complete the program(s) of their choice. In Arizona, studies show CTE students who earned a certificate have a higher chance of continuing their education after high school.
• CTE students have a higher graduation rate
  During the 2020-2021 school year, studies showed that students who enrolled in a CTE program were more engaged, graduated high school at higher rates, earned industry-recognized credentials and had rewarding and family-sustaining jobs. CTE students in Arizona have a 95.1% graduation rate, compared to non-CTE students in the state, who have a 76.4% graduation rate.
• CTE students have a better chance of being placed in postsecondary education
  CTE students are slightly more likely than non-CTE students to enroll in postsecondary education and are just as likely to earn a degree or certificate. In the 2020-2021 school year, 76% of CTE high school students in Arizona received post-program placement, with 45% continuing their education to earn a credential, certificate or degree.
• Health science topics are the most popular CTE classes
  
  Although each high school in QCUSD provides different CTE opportunities, there is an overwhelming demand for health science classes within the district. For all three of its high schools, 24.6% of students have enrolled in health science-related CTE programs.
• QCUSD offers more than 20 CTE programs and clubs
  There are numerous CTE classes students can take to enrich their education and plan for their future. Some of these classes range from media, health, woodwork and computer sciences.

Students can also continue their CTE experience with CTE clubs and organizations. QCUSD has had five students serve as state officers for local career and technical student organizations in the last five years:

• 2018–2019: Future Farmers of America
• 2019–2020: Family, Community and Career Leaders of America
• 2020–2021: Distributive Education Clubs of America
• 2021–2022: International Thespian Society
• 2022–2023: Future Business Leaders of America

To learn which CTE programs are offered in QCUSD high schools, click the links below.

• Crismon High CTE programs
• Eastmark High CTE programs
• Queen Creek High CTE programs