KSDE Weekly

Accountability, Accreditation and Assessments

Coming Soon: KSDE Insight Podcast – Career and Technical Education: What It Really Looks Like Today

On this month’s episode of the KSDE Insight Podcast, Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson talks with education leaders about how Career and Technical Education (CTE) helps students prepare for life after high school.  

Parents will learn what CTE is and how Kansas uses a statewide framework of career clusters and pathways schools can choose from to build local programs. Districts decide which pathways to offer based on their community needs, available resources, and student interests, helping connect learning in the classroom to real-world opportunities.  

Dr. Watson’s guests will be Natalie Clark, KSDE assistant director of career, standards and assessment services, and Dr. Lindsay King, director of college and career readiness for Maize USD 266. This conversation highlights how CTE supports students during high school, improves postsecondary outcomes, and strengthens Kansas communities through partnerships with local industries. Guests also address common misconceptions about CTE, explain how today’s programs differ from vocational education of the past, and share how students can get involved through coursework and career-focused student organizations.  

This episode, available Feb. 12, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube, gives parents a clearer picture of how CTE can help students discover their strengths, explore future careers, and graduate ready for college, training, or the workforce. 

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Posted: Feb 5, 2026,
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