In the United States, a significant portion of students—between one in five and one in seven, depending on the definition—attends school in rural areas. Graduates from rural schools often encounter fewer local job opportunities compared to their peers in more-connected regions. This disparity highlights the need for educational strategies that can effectively prepare students for the workforce. Career and Technical Education (CTE) presents a promising solution to engage high school students in rural communities by providing clear pathways for future careers, whether locally or in broader labor markets.

Rural schools face several challenges in implementing high-quality CTE programs. Schools are often geographically isolated and have limited access to qualified teachers for specialized courses that CTE programs often require. There may be fewer local employers and industries to partner with for work-based learning experiences. Moreover, with only 16% of two-year colleges in rural locations, there is a lack of nearby postsecondary institutions. Rural schools may also face unique financial constraints and limited resources to support CTE programs—some of which are costly.

What are recent trends for CTE students in rural areas? The Career & Technical Education Policy Exchange (CTEx) used administrative data from Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Tennessee, and Washington to study concentration in a CTE program in rural and non-rural (i.e., urban or suburban) schools.