As part of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month, one of our research affiliates, Thomas Torre Gibney who is a Senior Research Associate at WestEd , at ERO recently contributed to an important new study on career development. Their team at WestEd conducted a landscape analysis of middle school CTE for the Nebraska Department of Education, offering a detailed look at how early career exposure shapes student pathways. Cross posted on WestEd.

This resource explores how middle school Career and Technical Education (CTE) can better equip students with the skills needed for college and career success. Developed in partnership with the Nebraska Department of Education, this comprehensive report provides a 6-month analysis of the state’s CTE programs, highlighting strengths, barriers, and opportunities for growth.

Featuring eight actionable recommendations for state and local leaders, the report serves as a roadmap for expanding high-quality CTE opportunities and enriching career development in the middle grades. By leveraging these insights, Nebraska aims to set students on a trajectory toward long-term academic and professional achievement.

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Thomas Torre Gibney, MPP

Senior Research Associate