Career Technical Education (CTE) Program Updates

Last Updated: March 2026
Owner: CTE Department - Jennifer Meade (Director)

Overview

Recent updates from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) require significant changes to Career Technical Education (CTE) programming. These changes impact:

• Course approval and numbering

• Course sequencing

• Weighted grading (CTAG)

• Graduation pathways

• Scheduling structures

• Middle school programming requirements

This article outlines required changes and implementation steps for schools.

1. State Alignment & Course Approval

Summary of Change

All CTE courses must now:

• Be part of a state-approved CTE program

• Follow an approved course sequence

• Use the correct state-aligned course numbers

What This Means for Schools

• Some historical course numbers will be inactivated

• Schools must use only the course numbers listed on the approved pathway spreadsheet

  • https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aYdcDjyY2dvr40Hb4gwS-QmEXPXhUPbSydzWDehW_p8/edit?gid=0#gid=0

• Courses not on your pathway spreadsheet cannot be scheduled

2. Course Sequencing Requirements

Major Shift

CTE courses must now be delivered in structured sequences.

Required Format:

Course 1 → Course 2 → Course 3

Students may not:

• Skip foundational courses

• Enroll in upper-level courses without completing prerequisites

Adding New CTE Programs

Schools must:

1. Schedule a consultation meeting with CTE (contact: Jennifer Meade)

2. Submit required state application

3. Receive approval before scheduling

Courses may not be added directly to the master course deck.

3. CTAG Courses – Now Weighted

What Changed

Per Ohio Revised Code, CTAG courses are now:

• Weighted (similar to AP/IB)

• Placed in a new weighted score group in Infinite Campus

• Automatically applied (no manual adjustment needed)

Student Impact

• Applies for 25-26 school year and beyond (not retroactive)

• Very few students negatively impacted

• Students who pass the WebXam earn college credit upon college enrollment

4. WebXam & Graduation Pathways

WebXam Data

• ~80% district pass rate

• More Class of 2025 students used WebXam than OST for competency

Graduation Pathway Requirements

To use WebXam pathway:

• Student must complete 3 CTE courses

• Maintain passing average

• Pass WebXam

Special Education Considerations

Students enrolled in:

• Minimum 3 CTE courses

• Passing grades

May meet graduation competency requirements through CTE pathway.

Industry Credential Pathway

• Industry credential refresh expected by June

• Likely reduction in 1-point credentials

• Greater emphasis on 3-, 6-, and 12-point credentials

5. Middle School CTE Requirements

Current Requirement (Effective Sept 2025)

All middle schools must offer:

• An approved state CTE program

Previous waiver is no longer valid.

Pending Legislation

A Senate bill may require:

• 0.5 credit career awareness/exploration for all middle school students (grades 6–8)

Updates will be shared as legislation progresses.

Clarification

• Schools must offer CTE

• Students are not currently required to enroll (unless legislation passes)

6. Academy Schools

Current Status

• 4 Academy schools active

• 3 additional launching

Academy students must:

• Complete Freshman Seminar

• Complete minimum of 2 courses in selected pathway

Non-Academy Schools

Students:

• Select career interest in School Links

• Are not required to complete pathway courses

7. Scheduling Guidelines

Year-Long Requirement

Most CTE courses:

• Must be year-long

• Cannot be split into X/Y segments (per ODEW) to meet state instructional minute requirements

Introductory courses might be semester-based (case-by-case approval).

8. Course Inactivation Process

Courses will be made inactive if they:

• Are obsolete

• Do not align with state requirements

• Are not part of approved pathway

Inactive courses:

• Will not appear in CCSDAS

• Cannot be selected for scheduling

9. Required School Action Steps

Immediate

• Review your pathway spreadsheet

• Confirm all scheduled courses match approved numbers

• Remove non-aligned courses from master schedule

Before Scheduling Deadline

• Ensure sequencing is correct

• Verify WebXam pathway eligibility alignment

• Meet with CTE/Curriculum before adding new courses

Ongoing

• Plan graduation pathway early

• Monitor industry credential updates

• Prepare counselors for student pathway discussions

10. Contacts & Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all CTE courses now weighted?

Only CTAG-designated courses.

Can we split a year-long CTE course into two semesters?

No. Courses must meet state-required instructional minutes.

Can students take a single CTE elective?

Only if it is part of an approved state pathway.

Does selecting a pathway require enrollment?

No (unless Academy school).