Across the country, high schools are finding new ways to successfully educate their students after graduation. At Lafayette, Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses are presented as an opportunity for students to explore potential career paths early in their education. While the program offers new opportunities for students, questions remain about how an expansion could affect access to traditional academic courses.

School counselor Adam Monterusso suggested that growing enrollment and enthusiasm for CTE classes could be a key factor in whether Lafayette expands its CTE offerings in the future.

CTE programs focus on applying classroom knowledge to real-world situations. Paige Carlson, Rockwood’s CTE coordinator, said the goal of these classes is to help students connect learning to practical skills. 

“It’s really about taking what they learn in a classroom and applying it,” Carlson said. “Whether they’re coding, running a business or working in a kitchen, they’re building skills they’ll actually use.”

Courses in CTE programs center on employment areas of interest, such as journalism, biomedical sciences and business, as well as trade skills such as woodworking or metalworking. These programs provide practical application opportunities that might not otherwise be gained in a school setting.

“It’s a way for students to figure out what they like before they have to make big decisions,” Carlson said.

Interest in CTE classes has continued to grow, with students enrolling in them as electives. Teachers report that students are often more engaged when they feel they are developing skills connected to potential careers.

AFJROTC instructor Rob Jakcsy has seen that engagement firsthand. Enrollment in Lafayette’s AFJROTC program has more than doubled in recent years, growing from 37 students in the 2022–23 school year to 81 students in 2025–26. 

“A lot of employers say entry-level workers struggle with soft skills,” Jakcsy said. “This class gives students a place to practice communication, teamwork and leadership.”

The increased interest in CTE courses can benefit students. In the state of Ohio, school districts that increased construction and engineering options observed increased enrollment in apprenticeships or post-high school technical education. In California, health science biotech courses enabled students to gain industry certifications even in high school. In Texas districts that introduced business and technology options observed increased student engagement.

Engineering teacher Jodie Fowler said hands-on learning is one of the most valuable aspects of CTE. 

“Students are constantly working in teams, meeting deadlines and learning how to listen to other ideas,” Fowler said. 

Despite these benefits, some educators express concerns about expanding CTE offerings. One concern is that students may feel pressure to choose between CTE courses and advanced academic classes that are important for competitive college admissions.

School counselor Stephanie Mullins said scheduling conflicts can make those decisions difficult. 

“Most students do have room to try CTE classes, but when a CTE class and an advanced math or science class are only offered one period, students have to make a tough choice,” Mullins said.

Counselors at North Carolina schools that offer CTE classes reported that some students began to select technical courses over academic courses without fully understanding the impact of their decision.

There are also financial and infrastructure issues. An increase in the number of programs offered for CTE may need additional equipment and staff, leading to the allocation of resources between the academic and technical programs.

Despite this, supporters claim that there are more positive effects than negative effects. For example, schools within Indiana saw increases in graduation rates and attendance among students for whom traditional classroom settings had been ineffective by increasing CTE courses.

In regard to whether or not Lafayette should begin to offer more classes in CTE, the evidence indicates that a careful approach to CTE course options  may be in the best interest of many students. Although issues with schedule and academic balance are legitimate concerns, the rising interest in CTE and its emphasis on skills development indicate that CTE may be an asset to a traditional education.