City Schools is proud to celebrate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month! Through CTE, students complete a four-course sequence in their profession of interest to graduate with their high school diploma and an industry-recognized certification — increasing their earning potential and standing out from peers in college and job applications.
Career Pathways provide students with the clarity and direction to build the foundational knowledge in specific industries, preparation, and success in both college and careers.
CTE students gain hands-on experience in industry state-of-the-art labs and simulated environments, learn and build connections with industry professionals, and gain access to work-based learning experiences in their CTE pathway of choice.
History of the month
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month has its roots in the long history of vocational education in the United States, which dates back to the early 20th century. As the nation industrialized, schools began offering practical training in trades such as manufacturing, agriculture, and home economics to prepare students for skilled work that communities depended on.
City Schools has a long tradition of vocational education that reflects the city’s history as a center of industry, trade, and public service. As Baltimore grew in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, City Schools began offering hands-on training to prepare students for skilled work in fields such as manufacturing, construction, maritime trades, and clerical services—careers that were essential to the city’s economy.
A major milestone came in 1917 with the passage of the Smith-Hughes Act, the first federal law to support vocational education. This legislation formalized job-focused learning in public schools and reflected a longstanding belief that education should connect classroom instruction with real-world skills. Over time, vocational programs expanded beyond traditional trades to include fields like health care, information technology, and engineering.
Career and Technical Education Month itself emerged as a way to highlight the evolving role of this kind of education and its value to students, families, and the economy. Observed each February and led nationally by the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), CTE Month builds on decades of practice that emphasize hands-on learning, workforce readiness, and partnerships with industry.
Learn more
A historic Public Floating School for boys interested in nautical life was authorized in Baltimore by the City Council in 1854 and established in 1857. It served as a vocational training center to provide education for young mechanics and tradesmen on the water. This was part of a larger 19th-century effort to address educational needs and housing for the student population, including the later creation of other specialized institutions.
Created by City Schools with assistance from AI.