In a nutshell
Enrollment in CTE programs in CFISD has increased by almost 3,000 students in the last six years, according to annual district data. In the 2024-25 school year, 40,000 students across the district were enrolled in CTE courses.
Chief Academic Officer Tonya Goree said this is in part because high school students are taking advantage of the chance to obtain industry-recognized certifications at a lower cost, which allows them to enter the workforce right after graduation.
The average cost of a post-secondary cosmetology program ranges $13,000 to $20,000, Goree said, but CFISD students can complete the training for free. Students who take certification exams have to pay an exam fee, the cost of which varies depending on the program.
- Animal science
- Automotive technology
- Business management
- Cosmetology
- Culinary arts
- Environmental and natural resources
- Health science
- Robotics engineering and manufacturing
- Welding
Gov. Greg Abbott pushed for expansion of statewide CTE programs during the 89th legislative session and in February listed high school career training as an emergency item.
The Texas Legislature passed House Bills 20 and 120, both of which expand college and career readiness programs in public schools. The legislation also established that JROTC courses are eligible for CTE funding.
CFISD Chief Financial Officer Karen Smith said funding increases associated with the two pieces of legislation were funneled through House Bill 2, which gave an across-the-board funding boost to public schools, including CTE programs.
The estimated CTE funding increase from HB 2 for the district is $1.2 million for fiscal year 2025-26, Smith said, which primarily came from the boost to basic allotment funding.
While CFISD has not historically struggled with CTE funding due to high enrollment, the additional support is always beneficial, Goree said.
Another detail
Goree said the health science program in particular is experiencing notable growth and demand, both within CFISD and across Texas. This is because health care workers are considered high-demand and high-wage in the state, she said. Industry certifications within this career cluster include:
- Certified nurse aide
- Emergency medicine technician, basic
- Pharmacy technician
- Registered dental assistant
- Patient care technician
One more thing
Smith said HB 2 also included funding increases for the reimbursement of two certification exams per student and the cost of fingerprinting and criminal background checks. Per-district funding is unknown as of press time, but legislators set a statewide cap at $20 million.
