Career and technical education (CTE) and Perkins in-person technical assistance sessions scheduled in September 

The KSDE career and technical education (CTE) team will provide information and technical assistance on various topics during sessions scheduled in September across Kansas. 

• National career clusters framework updates 
• New Kansas modernized career cluster and pathway framework for 2026-27 
• New 2025-26 KSDE CTE resource guide 
• Work-based learning 
• Career-readiness indicators 
• Programs of study 
• High-quality program of study framework  

Perkins coordinators will have breakout sessions covering the following topics: 

• 2025-26 timeline 
• Assistance for FY25 secondary improvement final report 
• Perkins reserve grants 

The cost to attend is $35. Register here for the following sessions: 

• Sept. 8: Washburn Rural High School  CTE@WRHS - ABOUT CTE (Registration for this session closes Aug. 25). 
• Sept. 19: Wichita – Manufacturing Future Ready Center - Attendees will have the opportunity to follow a guided tour of the Manufacturing FRC where they will see the wide range of programs designed to prepare students for the diverse manufacturing careers in the Wichita region: From composites to seeing and touching a real aircraft assembled by students. Participants may even want to take a try on one of several forklift simulators (no hard hats required). Students in Wichita USD 259’s culinary pathway will prepare and provide a tasty lunch.   
• Sept. 22: Dodge City High School Dodge City High School - Career & Technical Ed Home 
• Sept. 24: Topeka USD 501’s Topeka Center for Advanced Learning and Careers  
• Sept. 25: Fort Hays State University’s Center for Applied Technology - This event will offer CTE professionals an inside look at FHSU’s state-of-the-art Center for Applied Technology (CAT), a 58,000-square-foot facility that houses cutting-edge programs in construction management, construction technology, engineering design technology, and manufacturing technology. Faculty from Applied Technology will lead guided tours and presentations, highlighting the hands-on learning and industry-focused curriculum that prepares students for in-demand technical and management careers. Attendees will also receive updates on the strategic affiliation between Fort Hays State University, Fort Hays Tech North Central, and Fort Hays Tech Northwest — a collaborative initiative aimed at expanding construction technology, advanced manufacturing, and technical education opportunities across rural Kansas. We are looking forward to a dynamic day of learning, networking, and sharing ideas to advance CTE and technology education in our state. 
• Sept. 29: LaHarpe – Regional Rural Technical Center - See the exciting opportunities at the Regional Rural Technical Center (RRTC) in LaHarpe. Iola USD 257 invites you to experience how RRTC and the district are shaping the next generation of skilled professionals. 

The RRTC is a regional resource, serving students from Humboldt, Moran, Uniontown, Crest, Yates Center, and Iola. During your visit, you will explore the state-of-the-art spaces dedicated to our four key programs: welding, automotive, construction, and wind energy. 

You will also see the practical application of our strong academic pathways through student projects and presentations. Plus, enjoy a taste of our student talent with food provided by our outstanding culinary students and competitive barbecue team. 

Contact Barbara Bahm, Barbara.Bahm@ksde.gov, or (785) 291-3538 with questions.  

Virtual update sessions for Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Perkins coordinators scheduled for 2025-26 school year 

Career and technical education (CTE) and Perkins coordinators will receive monthly updates on CTE and Perkins news, deadline reminder and can share information and ideas, 11 a.m. – noon, on the following 2025-26 dates via this Zoom link. 

• Sept. 2 
• Oct. 21 
• Nov. 18 
• Dec. 16 
• Jan. 20 
• Feb. 17 
• March 24 
• April 21 
• May 5 
   

Contact Barbara Bahm, Barbara.Bahm@ksde.gov, or (785) 291-3538 with questions.  

Technical assistance for Individual Plan of Study (IPS) slated for October 

The KSDE CTE team will provide in-person technical assistance on the following Individual Plan of Study (IPS) topics at districts across Kansas in October: 

• Elements of quality IPS process 
• IPS scope and sequence 
• Goal setting 
• Career awareness, exploration and preparation activities 
• Quality electronic portfolios developed by students 
• Student and family engagement process 
• IPS Star Recognition application process 
• Data reporting and tracking of IPS process for KESA compliance  

Register here for the sessions that will be 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the following locations: 

• Oct. 10: Piper High School USD 203 - (Registration for this site closes Sept. 26) -  Piper USD 203 will share out their portrait of a graduate, the graduation endorsement concept, their advisory organization for better student services and the senior mentoring program. Representatives from school districts who were part of the new research that was developed and released over the summer will be talking about goal setting, career exploration and digital electronic portfolios. 
• Oct. 13: Pratt High School, Pratt USD 382 - Pratt Academic Center Board Room - The host site will be talking about student-led conferences because this day is their IPS PT conference day. They will also share what their district scope and sequence looks like, as well as what a digital portfolio should look like for students to showcase marketable assets. Representatives from school districts who were part of the new research that was developed and released over the summer will be talking about goal setting, career exploration and digital electronic portfolios.  
• Oct. 17: Junction City High School, Geary County USD 475 - Junction City High School will share what they do to support students in their IPS, and students will be sharing their portfolio presentations on the day of this workshop. We will see what a student-led presentation looks like from the Junction City High School perspective.   
• Oct. 24: Oakley USD 274, Northwest Kansas Education Service Center - Oakley USD 274 will share the work-based learning opportunities in the region and how they are getting students connected to the local community. There will be some discussion about their scope and sequence and how they work to help students earn dual credit opportunities. 
• Oct. 27: Maize Career Academy Technical Center (MCA), Maize USD 266 – Maize Performing Arts Center and Aquatics Center (MPAAC) - Maize USD 266 students will be touring and visiting the career academy on this day. Dr. Lindsey King from the MCA, who helped develop the elementary IPS scope and sequence, will be talking about career awareness at the elementary level. Representatives from school districts who were part of the new research that was developed and released over the summer will be talking about goal setting, career exploration and digital electronic portfolios.  
• Oct. 28: Independence High School, Independence USD 446 - Independence USD 446 will be sharing their IPS format and will be talking about their scope and sequence and what their career portfolio looks like. Representatives from school districts who were part of the new research will be sharing the information that was developed about goal setting, career exploration and digital electronic portfolios. 

Contact Barbara Bahm, Barbara.Bahm@ksde.gov, or (785) 291-3538 with questions.