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Findings and Recommendations 5 findings
F1
Students do not have sufficient opportunity to begin a CTE pathway before 11th or 12th grade due to District graduation requirements beyond State standards and a focus on preparing students for college admissions based on the UC and CSU A-G course requirements.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
By March 31, 2026, SMCOE should analyze districts’ master schedules for CTE pathway completer outcomes and recommend potential improvements.
F2
Pathway completion rates within the County are only 15% on average. Factors include a lack of pathways with depth, a mismatch of pathways to student interest, and barriers to entry into pathways, resulting in lost opportunities for students and funding for districts.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
By January 1, 2026, each school district should ensure all pathways include a capstone course, add classes with dual enrollment credit, and those with certifications/credentials.
F3
The high school district stated it has challenges with hiring qualified individuals with industry experience for CTE positions due to lower pay in education. Superintendents have the ability to negotiate salary schedules and offer CTE candidates compensation based upon years of industry experience (and not years of teaching).
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
By April 30, 2026, the district school board should determine if, and where, students’ schedules can be opened up for more CTE and dual enrollment opportunities earlier in their high school careers by evaluating district graduation requirements versus state-mandated requirements.
F4
The district is not fully aware of new legislation impacting CTE programs, such as notifying parents or guardians of 11th and 12th graders about local pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, the loosening of internship rules and regulations for businesses hosting students, etc. 25Zeyu Xu and Ben Backes, “The case for specialized career and technical education,” Thomas B. Fordham Institute, Sept. 12, 2022, https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/case-specialized- career-and-technical-education 12
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
By August 1, 2026, the district should work with the union(s) to negotiate mutually agreeable salaries for CTE teachers based on pay commensurate with CTE experience, to incentivize talented and experienced candidates to apply.
F5
The systems used by the district to follow up on graduating seniors have not been successful in gathering enough participation to provide useful data, with return rate percentages between single digits to low twenties.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
By October 31, 2025, SMCOE should share new legislation impacting CTE programs with business partners (via such means as Advisory Meetings, Steering Committees, etc.) and Superintendents who in turn disseminate it to their constituents (district CTE personnel, counselors, parents, etc.).
Additional Recommendations 1
These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.
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R6By March 31, 2026, each school district should develop a more effective means or system for capturing post-graduate information, specifically if graduates are working or studying in the field of their completed pathway. 13
No Responses Found 7
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Cabrillo Unified School District
School District
Jefferson Union High School District
School District
La Honda-Pescadero Unified School District
School District
San Mateo County County Superintendent of Schools
Elected County Office
San Mateo Union High School District
School District
Sequoia Union High School District
School District
South San Francisco Unified School District
School District