Career Technical Education (CTE) isn’t something students “choose” in high school—it starts earlier with curiosity and hands-on exploration. In fact, introducing STEM and career-connected learning can keep students from opting out of math and science fields before entering middle school.

By establishing an ecosystem of PreK-12 STEM and CTE pathways aligned with state workforce priorities, State CTE Directors can help schools and districts strengthen academic outcomes, expand authentic learning experiences, and prepare students for future education and careers.

CTE Connects: How State CTE Directors Can Address Each Principle Across PreK–12

Using a proven framework to guide districtwide STEM and CTE pathways is helpful. And any approach needs to include flexible, industry-connected curriculum that qualifies for Perkins and CTE funding sources schools rely on.

To ensure implementations can successfully align with Advance CTE’s principles in The Connected Path: A Shared Vision for Opportunity & Empowerment Through CTE (CTE Connects), State CTE Directors should explore the complete framework and coherent pathways Project Lead The Way (PLTW) delivers across the country.

Principle 1: Codesigned Systems

Career-connected learning is strongest when it reflects what students encounter beyond the classroom. PLTW develops curriculum with input from educators, industry professionals, and other experts to ensure teachers have what they need to deepen industry connections. Schools can then form intentional partnerships to build future talent pipelines through internships, apprenticeships, and community impact projects.

Principle 2: Transparency and Accountability

High-quality CTE programs need meaningful data without creating unnecessary work for educators. PLTW provides teacher-ready resources for formative and summative assessments, standards connections, and technical support. These tools help educators understand student progress, demonstrate program impact, and make informed instructional decisions while reducing the administrative burden of gathering and managing information.

Principle 3: Integrated Experiences

Work-based learning (WBL) doesn’t have to compete with core academics. PLTW’s programs reinforce skills students use across subjects, including math, literacy, problem-solving, and communication. By providing opportunities to apply academic concepts to real-world challenges, CTE can become a catalyst for strengthening cross-curricular connections that may not naturally emerge when subjects are learned in isolation.

Principle 4: Personalized and Flexible Pathways

Career exploration can begin long before students are asked to choose a pathway. PLTW programs span PreK–12, integrating foundational English Language Arts (ELA), math, and science skills with hands-on, project-based learning. Students move from playful exploration and curiosity in the early grades to relevant career-connected learning in middle and high school. This continuum gives schools flexibility to create experiences that evolve alongside students’ interests, skills, and goals.

Principle 5: Harnessing Technology

Students need more than familiarity with technology to thrive in a tech-driven world. PLTW provides grade-relevant opportunities to explore computer science and technology, equipping students for an increasingly digital society while helping them develop skills such as computational thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and ethical reasoning. These experiences help learners move from simply using technology to understanding how it works, considering its impact, and applying it to solve meaningful problems.

Principle 6: Empowerment and Belonging

Hands-on CTE experiences give students opportunities to discover not only what they can do but what they can accomplish with others. Through collaborative problem-solving and design challenges, students learn to communicate ideas, listen to different perspectives, improve designs through feedback, and work toward shared solutions. These experiences can help students see their contributions as valuable and foster classrooms where teamwork, communication, and confidence are commonplace.

Ready for the Future? PLTW Students Are.

Establishing a connected ecosystem of STEM and CTE pathways in your state requires collaboration, problem-solving, and creativity—skills we ask students to apply every day. And when educators have the tools, resources, and training to be successful, outcomes improve.

With PLTW’s complete STEM and CTE ecosystem, schools in any state can help learners discover their future and build the skills to pursue it. Explore the programs to see how PLTW helps fortify talent pipelines across the country.

Written by Michelle Miesse, PLTW

About Project Lead The Way

PLTW is a nationwide nonprofit offering a complete PreK–12 STEM and CTE ecosystem that connects classroom curriculum to real-world application through immersive experiences, purposeful industry partnerships, grant-supported access, and educator training—helping schools develop and demonstrate a career advantage through meaningful, applied learning that supports engagement, confidence, and future-ready skill development.

For nearly 30 years, PLTW has given students opportunities to solve problems, create, collaborate, and apply what they learn in meaningful ways, from standards-aligned, project-based early exploration to advanced coursework and work-based learning.

Discover why more than 12,200 schools, 116,000 trained educators, and millions of students across all 50 states choose PLTW to build the skills they need for careers, college, and life. Learn more at PLTW.org.