Career and technical education (CTE) provides an important pathway to success for high school students and offers each student opportunities to personalize his or her education based on their career interests and unique learning needs. CTE courses and programs are designed to prepare students for careers in current or emerging professions. At the high school level, CTE provides students with opportunities to explore a career theme of interest while learning a set of technical and employability skills that integrate into or complement their academic studies.  Declaring CTE Graduation pathway concentrates a student's elective focus within a single CTE Program Area to better prepare that student for the transition to post-high school (postsecondary) education and career success.

CTE Connects with and Leads to Postsecondary Programs or additional training after high school, which may include more specialized technical instruction. These pathways can culminate in postsecondary degrees or certificates, apprenticeships, or employment.