Career & Technical Education (CTE)

Career & Technical Education (CTE) in Iowa includes educational programs offering a sequence of courses that prepare individuals for employment in current or emerging occupations. Programs include competency-based applied learning, which contributes to an individual’s academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills and occupational-specific skills.

At the secondary level, CTE programs are organized within six broad service areas, as defined in Iowa Code. The service areas are:

  • Agriculture, food and natural resources
  • Arts, communications and information systems
  • Applied sciences, technology, engineering and manufacturing, including transportation, distribution, logistics, architecture and construction
  • Health sciences
  • Human services
  • Business, finance, marketing and management

Programs within these service areas are further aligned with the National Career Clusters Framework.

More Information

For additional information about CTE, visit:

Iowa Department of Education

Important Contacts

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Crista Carlile

Crista Carlile

  • Director of Service for a Fee

Public Districts: Des Moines

Charter Schools: Des Moines Prep Academy, Great Oaks Charter School, Horizon Science Academy, Xceed Oakmoor Academy

Accredited Non-Public Schools: Apiary Leadership Academy, Bergman Academy, Christ the King, Des Moines Adventist, Des Moines Diocese, Dowling High School, Empigo Academy, Joshua Christian Academy, JW Reed Christian Academy, Mt. Olive Lutheran School, One School Global, Two Rivers Classical Academy (Grades 6-12)

Education: Bachelor’s degree, biology; Master’s degree, secondary education; Ed.D., educational leadership

Experience: High school science teacher, Science curriculum coordinator, High school administrator, Director of teaching & learning; Regional director Joined Heartland AEA in 2022

Expertise: Systems improvement; quality/continuous improvement; leadership development; strategic planning and implementation; leadership coaching

How I’ve made an impact: I have worked closely with a district to implement a school improvement process that aligns evidence-based practices in improvement science with federal and state requirements for ESSA and Title I.

Career & Technical Education (CTE)