Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder stressed the importance of Career and Technical Education (CTE) to a roomful of Wyoming legislators, educators, and high school members of CTE student organizations on February 10. The group gathered to celebrate CTE and witness Governor Mark Gordon sign an official proclamation declaring February Wyoming CTE Month.
“CTE is a key part of my strategic plan, and we’ve made great progress expanding opportunities in Wyoming, from competency and work-based learning pilots where students can move at their own pace with real-world experiences, to streamlining and increasing funding opportunities,” says Degenfelder.
Degenfelder congratulated the students on their hard work and dedication, restated the importance of CTE throughout the education system, and applauded the progress made through partnerships with the University of Wyoming College of Education and Wyoming Community Colleges.
“The UW College of Education is a proud partner of the Wyoming Department of Education and supporter of Wyoming’s CTE community. We know the most important initiatives in our state are best served by working together. We are committed to preparing the next generation of CTE educators and have seen dramatic enrollment increases in our CTE teacher preparation program over the last year,” says Jenna Shim, John P. “Jack” Ellbogen Dean, University of Wyoming College of Education.
According to most recent data, over 9,500 Wyoming secondary school students and 5,582 community college students were CTE Concentrators in 2024–an increase of 3.1 percent from 2022. CTE concentrators achieved a 95 percent graduation rate compared to their peers at 81.6 percent. Wyoming has seen 4,355 high school graduates get a jump-start and earn college credit and 3,139 gained Industry Recognized Credentials in CTE courses while still in high school.
Facilitating the breakfast was the Wyoming Association for Career and Technical Education (WACTE). President Heath Hornecker commented, “I am grateful for the growing support for our Career and Technical Education programs. Stakeholders around the state realize they are not only the skilled workforce we desperately need, but also the solid community members who will engage and make Wyoming strong over the coming decades.”
Career and Technical Student Organizations represented included DECA, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), National FFA (FFA), and SkillsUSA. In 2024, those organizations counted 6,681 students from Wyoming across 183 chapters among their members. Business and Industry partners came in support and additional CTE programs including CyberWyoming and Prostart.
Watch Superintendent Degenfelder’s remarks during the event and Governor Gordon signing the proclamation.
Superintendent Megan Degenfelder speaks at a CTE Month proclamation signing on February 10.
Superintendent Megan Degenfelder poses for a photo with FFA students in the Capitol Connector.
