Plano ISD earns CTE District of Distinction as new career center opens

Plano ISD has been named a Career and Technical Education District of Distinction by the Career and Technical Association of Texas, the honor's second year in a row for the district. The designation recognizes districts whose career programs prepare students for college and the workforce, and the district says it is one of only 71 selected.

Students in the district put that work into practice last school year. Plano ISD recorded 27,184 CTE course enrollments and 4,139 industry-based certifications, which is 634 more certifications than the year before, or about 18 percent growth. Career-focused classes begin in seventh grade and run through middle schools, high schools and specialized academies such as Academy High School, the Health Sciences Academy and the Electrical Engineering Academy.

The honor arrives alongside the opening of the district's new Career and Technical Education Center at 1865 Alma Drive, which welcomed students for the first time this fall. The 150,000-square-foot building, funded by the district's 2022 bond, adds 19 programs of study, including culinary arts, cybersecurity, robotics, banking and welding. Superintendent Theresa Williams said staff met with industry partners and local colleges and reviewed workforce data to choose those programs.

"This recognition comes from the work of our CTE teachers, administrators, students and community partners," said Karen Buechman, Plano ISD's CTE director.

Original reporting by Plano Magazine. Enrollment and certification figures were also reported by Local Profile, and program details and the district's designation were also reported by Community Impact and Plano ISD.