In this blog, Policy Associate Velie Sando provides a high-level summary of nationwide trends in 2024 Career Technical Education (CTE) policy and highlights from the 2024 Year in Review (YiR) webinar.
In 2024, 40 states enacted 152 CTE-related policies—the highest number recorded since 2019.
Following a significant decline in 2020, the resurgence in 2024 reflects a return to pre-pandemic policy activity. This increase underscores states’ ongoing commitment to leveraging CTE to enhance workforce development and educational opportunities.
Top Five Policy Trends of 2024
Here are the top five CTE policy trends of 2024, with a state example for each. For a larger sample of policies enacted for each trend, click here for the year-over-year data visualization tool: State Policy Tracker.
The policy lever most enacted was funding. These policies address significant changes in CTE funding, such as increasing or decreasing allocations, creating a scholarship or grant program, or investing in a pilot program.
- In Kentucky HB 6 allocated $100 million of the state’s general fund to support area technology center renovation projects in local school districts.
The second most enacted policy category was industry partnerships & work-based learning, which are policies that address and engage industry to promote learning through work-based learning or other means.
- In South Carolina, SB 557 increased the tax credits employers can receive for hiring an apprentice through the U.S Department of Labor (DOL) Registered Apprenticeship program.
Third, access & supports continued to align with the trends seen in prior years with policies that work to address barriers for learners in CTE systems.
- New Mexico passed HB 303, which expands opportunities to access and complete workforce training through Workforce Pilot Program stipends.
Fourth, policies under data, reporting, & accountability addressed data and research activities that support CTE, including the use of labor market information and the inclusion of career readiness indicators within accountability systems.
- In Georgia, HB 982 mandated the State Workforce Development Board to create a high-demand career list that highlights the state’s workforce needs.
To round out the top five trends, industry-recognized credentials (IRCs) were a focus for policymakers to increase the attainment of credentials recognized by industry. These include micro-credentials, such as badges, educational certificates, and degrees.
- Nebraska, through LB 16, allowed professionals who have IRCs or work experience in another state or the military to be issued an IRC in Nebraska
ICYMI
Each year, Advance CTE partners with the Association for Career Technical Education (ACTE) to publish a Year in Review report that highlights CTE policy trends observed over the previous year and showcases how states leverage policy to address CTE challenges. To complement the report’s release, offer a deep dive into the findings, and address preliminary questions, Advance CTE and ACTE host an annual Year in Review (YiR) webinar.
The recent webinar on the 2024 CTE State Policy Trends shared deeper insights on the CTE landscape in Indiana, including CTE successes, key legislative changes, and the local impact of 2024 policies on CTE stakeholders. This year, former Indiana State CTE Director Anthony Harl and Indiana ACTE Executive Director Kandy Smitha joined to provide a deeper dive into Indiana’s efforts to expand high-quality CTE initiatives.
CTE Policy in Indiana
The discussion covered the trajectory of CTE in Indiana, highlighting its success in work-based learning (WBL) participation, college credit attainment, and credential attainment across the following areas:
- The impact of the new diploma rule on WBL and credentialing, emphasizing how the framework integrates these experiences.
- Career Scholarship Accounts were discussed to enhance student access to WBL and credential opportunities. The conversation also addressed implementation at the local level, outlining expectations and strategies for schools and educators. Anticipated challenges and opportunities in the transition were examined, along with the crucial role of community and industry partners in supporting the process.
Access the presentation slide deck: https://careertech.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Webinar-Presentation-2024-Policies-Impacting-CTE.pdf
View the recording of the webinar: https://careertech.org/event/state-policies-impacting-cte-2024-year-in-review-webinar/
Read the full State Policies Impacting CTE: 2024 Year in Review report https://careertech.org/resource/state-policies-impacting-cte-2024-year-in-review/
Visit Advance CTE’s State Policy Resources Page for more information.
