2025 Career and Technical Education Pathway Revision

Memo Information

Memo Number

CTE-25-012

Memo Date

2/5/2025

Memo Type

Informational

Unit

Communications

Regulatory Authority

Response Required

Attention

Assistant Principal; Assistant Superintendent; Communications Manager / Director; CTE Coordinator (COOPs and regular school districts); Curriculum Coordinators; Data Stewards (SIS; eSchool; eFinance; TRIAND); District Coordinators (ALE; Homeless; ESOL; SDFS & Foster); Federal Programs; Gifted & Talented Coordinators; Parent Involvement Coordinators/Facilitators; Principals; School Counselors; Special Education Supervisor; Superintendents; Teachers; Technology Coordinators

Primary Contact Information

Name

Ross White

Phone Number

501-682-4801

ross.white@ade.arkansas.gov

Secondary Contact/s Information

Name

Tim Johnston

Phone Number

501-683-1705

tim.johnston@ade.arkansas.gov

Memo Text

The Department of Education is pleased to announce the release of the updated Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathway Revision Guide. This comprehensive guide outlines the newly revised CTE pathways, strategically aligned with the National Career Cluster Framework and Arkansas Workforce demands. The changes presented in this guide will impact the 2026-2027 school year and beyond.

The CTE Pathway Revision Guide has been developed to ensure that Arkansas students are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and competencies necessary to thrive in today’s dynamic workforce. Key updates include:

Alignment with National Career Cluster Framework: Enhancing consistency with national standards to provide students with transferable skills across industries.
Integration with Arkansas Workforce Needs: Reflecting the latest workforce data to address high-wage, high-demand occupations critical to Arkansas’s economic growth.
Streamlined Pathway Structures: Simplifying course sequences to improve clarity and accessibility for educators and students.
Focus on Durable Skills: Emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that are essential across all career fields.

We encourage all CTE educators, administrators, and stakeholders to review the guide thoroughly. The revisions are designed to support effective program implementation, enhance student outcomes, and strengthen connections between education and industry.

The CTE Pathway Revision Guide is available at https://dcte.ade.arkansas.gov/Page/Pathways.

DCTE will provide three-hour training for administrators, counselors, and lead CTE instructors on the CTE Pathway Revision Guide at each Education Service Cooperative. This training will include a guide review, new, merged, and revised pathway breakouts, and a question-and-answer session. It is highly recommended for Administrators, Secondary Principals, Secondary Counselors, and Lead CTE Instructors.