CTE Blog

It was another banner year for SUSD’s College and Career Readiness (CCR) programs!

• Increase in program offerings  ✅
• Increase in students completing CTE programs  ✅
• Increase in Technical Skills Assessments  ✅
• Increase in Industry Credentials  ✅
• Increase in Work-Based Learning Internships  ✅

Other CTE data points worth celebrating this year:

Participation

2024-2025 CTE students participating in Level I and Level II programs at SUSD schools

Internships across all five high school sites numbered 57!  That’s more than double last year’s number of participants! A total of 42 were spread across multiple career pathways; 15 were Sports Medicine interns.

EVIT
Additional students attended CTE programs on the EVIT (East Valley Institute of Technology) campus in Mesa.

• Arcadia – 108
• Chaparral – 52
• Saguaro – 78
• Scottsdale Online - 7
• Coronado – 71
• Desert Mountain – 50

2025 Grad Cohort CTE Distinction

This is a count of Seniors who completed programs and passed the Technical Skills Assessment for their subject area.

• Arcadia – 111
• Chaparral – 109
• Coronado – 27
• Desert Mountain – 132
• Saguaro – 77
• Scottsdale Online – 3

Technical Skills Assessment

At our SUSD campuses, 445 students took the Technical Skills assessments. Of that number, 412 passed - a 93% pass rate!

Industry Credentials Reporting Cycle

CTE Industry certifications increased for the ‘23-‘24 Cohort being closed out for reporting this month.  SUSD can celebrate a 39% jump over the ‘22-‘23 Cohort!  CTE grew from 161 students passing their industry credentials to 225!

Our deepest appreciation to our wonderful CTE campus staff for the work they do to support the career interests and studies of our students and also to the students themselves for looking down the road to see the possibilities ahead!

Learn More at the Source

Huge congratulations to Saguaro High School’s Trenton Ly, Derya Tuncay and Sienna Pohl for securing 3^rdplace at this year's Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference!  It's their first year competing in FBLA, and they've already achieved such an impressive milestone in the field of Computer Game & Simulation Programming.  They are now qualified to attend the National Conference this summer in Anaheim, California. 

FBLA is an incredible platform that prepares students for successful careers in business and related fields.  Its competitions cover more than 90 different business topics, from Accounting and Digital Photography to Financial Statement Analysis and Impromptu Speaking.  

Congratulations to Iulia Musat!

We are thrilled to announce that Chaparral High School senior Iulia Musat has advanced to the semifinals of the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program in Career and Technical Education (CTE)! This remarkable achievement showcases her dedication, hard work, and exceptional skills in the Finance Pathway. Iulia exemplifies the spirit of innovation and leadership that this program celebrates. We are so proud of her accomplishments and can't wait to see what she achieves as a Flinn Scholar!

Congratulations, Ira Parsons!

We are also excited to announce that Chaparral sophomore Ira Parsons has been accepted into the prestigious 2025 Cybersecurity Research Internship Program at ASU’s Center for Cybersecurity and Trusted Foundations! This opportunity is a testament to Ira's hard work, dedication, and passion for the field of Networking and Cybersecurity.  This school year, he has been enrolled in Engineering Design II class taught by longtime SUSD educator Steve Geislinger.   

As an intern, Ira will engage in cutting-edge research, collaborate with graduate-student mentors, and develop invaluable skills that will pave the way for future success. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and can't wait to see the amazing contributions Ira will make during this internship. Great job, Ira!  

🎉Congratulations to the Firebird Criminal Justice Program! 🎉

We are excited to share that the Criminal Justice Program at Chaparral High School has achieved an outstanding cumulative score of 94% on the Crime Scene Management certification exam, once again ranking us at the top program in the state for this certification! This remarkable accomplishment reflects the dedication and hard work of both teacher Tarnisha Tilson and her students.

Among the 26 students who took the exam, we are particularly proud to highlight that one student earned an impressive score of 99%! This success not only showcases their commitment to excellence in education but also prepares our students for future careers in law enforcement and forensic science. Congratulations to everyone involved!

Learn More at the Source 

Culinary Spotlight!

Chef Jack Trier joined SUSD in 2018 as Chaparral High School’s Culinary Arts instructor.  Chef Trier runs his Signature program on a block schedule with each class running over two periods a day.  This has increased the quality of the lab time in the kitchen.  Chef Trier also teaches in Scottsdale Community College’s Culinary program and provides dual enrollment credit to his high school students.

This year, Chef Trier has hosted three district events related to SUSD’s Strategic Plan’s Goal 4, “Community Engagement and Partnership,” to promote and improve our CTE programs.  These events provided work-based learning for his students. The events were well-executed … and delicious. With Chef Trier’s dedication to excellence, CTE is installing a fully furnished bistro café, complete with a new freezer and walk-in refrigerator, a new barista machine for hot beverages, and upgraded instructional lab equipment. His students will be hosting a spring CTE event to show off the new café.

CTE is vital for students to explore the world of work and prepare for their post-secondary plans, be it college, apprenticeship, or direct entry to the workforce.  CTE helps students gain employment. What students learn in CTE will always be relevant, regardless of career path. Plan now for your child to participate in one of our SUSD CTE programs.

Learn More at the Source

CTE students in the Introduction to Criminal Justice course had the incredible opportunity to participate in Grand Canyon University’s Forensic Science Day recently. This event provided hands-on experiences in criminal investigation techniques, tours of GCU’s cutting-edge forensic facilities, and meaningful interactions with forensic science faculty and students.

Event Highlights

• Cadaver Lab – A standout experience for many students was the cadaver lab tour, which offered a deeper understanding of human anatomy and forensic pathology. Medical examiners and forensic pathologists rely on cadaver studies to determine cause of death, analyze injuries, and reconstruct crime scenes. Learning about decomposition firsthand enhances students’ grasp of forensic autopsy procedures, an essential aspect of criminal investigations.
• Cyber Security of Excellence – Students explored cybercrime investigations, utilizing Wireshark to demonstrate email hacking techniques and learning lock-picking methods. In today’s digital age, cyber threats such as identity theft, hacking, and digital forensics are integral to criminal investigations. This session emphasized the intersection of cybersecurity and criminal justice, showing how law enforcement agencies combat cybercrime.
• Blood Analysis Lab – Students participated in forensic blood testing using the Kastle-Meyer test for blood, a fundamental procedure in crime scene investigations. Detecting and analyzing biological evidence is a crucial part of forensic science, assisting in criminal cases by confirming the presence of blood at a crime scene.

A Valuable Work-Based Learning Experience
This event was yet another successful career exploration opportunity for Chaparral High School Criminal Justice students. Experiences like these play a pivotal role in shaping the future of CTE students, offering real-world exposure through laboratories, professional observations, and industry networking.

As an educator, Ms. Tilson’s dedication to providing her students with engaging field trips, hands-on learning, and meaningful experiences has not gone unnoticed.  Ms. Tilson was received with a Challenge coin at the February SUSD Governing Board Meeting. A huge thank you to her, the Chaparral administration team, the Career and Technical Education team, parents, and students for making this day a success.

Other CTE Month Challenge Coin Recognitions

Shelley Alfieri-Brown, Arcadia High School’s Engineering and Coding teacher, was also among the dedicated SUSD CTE educators recognized last month. Shelley joined SUSD two years ago and has taken her two programs to new heights.  She has attended as many student CTSO events as possible and has chaperoned a group of students to every “Girls Get IT” event in the last two years.  She has raised the bar for student expectations and sets a great example as a role model for all things possible for her students.  Her high standards and tireless commitment deserve a Challenge Coin.  Thank you, Shelley!

Chaparral High School’s Mason Renfer was recently spotlighted for his high-performing Finance program. SUSD is one of a handful of districts in Arizona that offers a CTE Finance pathway. Learning about personal finance and the principles of commerce are important to all citizens. It also helps students achieve the Arizona Seal of Personal Finance which is affixed to their diploma. Mr. Renfer recently earned the NGPF Distinguished Educator Award. This is a lifetime award that educators earn by passing six Next Gen Personal Finance Certification Courses in multiple finance topics. 

Next … Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) Celebrations!

CTE students performed very well at Future Business Leaders of America’s (FBLA) AZ Regionals competition held on January 22nd. Students from Arcadia, Chaparral and Saguaro High schools competed in categories ranging from accounting to supply-chain. SUSD had FIVE 3^rd places, TWO 2^nd places, and FOUR 1^st place winners!

Richard Norris, Desert Mountain High School DECA Advisor, has continued the legacy of a top, award-winning Marketing program.  Mr. Norris has chaperoned and led several dozen students to international competitions over the last four years since joining SUSD’s CTE program.  This year, his team won SIX 3rd places, TWO 2^nd places, and SIX 1^st place performance awards at the AZ DECA Districts event.  DM also won more than 20 awards in the written exams. 

With much appreciation, a Challenge Coin goes to each FBLA and DECA teacher who oversaw these CTSO events and prepared their students to compete:

• Shelley Alfieri-Brown, Arcadia
• Dave White, Arcadia
• Mason Renfer, Chaparral
• Richard Norris, Desert Mountain
• Matt Bohnert, Saguaro
• Anthony Vogel, former Chaparral CTE Finance teacher and current CTE central office Teacher-on-Assignment overseeing curriculum and staff development

Learn More at the Source

CTE is good for students, good for businesses and good for communities! 

CTE is the answer to the nation’s projected deficit of 6 million skilled workers through 2032.¹ Approximately 7.8 million high school students and 3.3 million college and adult students participate in Career and Technical Education (CTE), learning skills in the classroom and on the job.²   CTE students earn industry certifications and licenses, postsecondary certificates, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees and higher. CTE is delivered at all five of SUSD’s comprehensive high schools and EVIT – the Career and Technical Education District for the East Valley.  

CTE high school students are college- and career ready:  96% graduate from high school and most enroll directly into college.³   Associate degrees in CTE fields can pay up to $2.8 million in lifetime earnings ‒ and pay more than bachelor’s degrees in other fields ‒ while limiting student debt.⁴ 

By 2031 in Arizona, 36% of jobs will require education beyond high school but less than a bachelor’s degree. CTE programs prepare students for these jobs in key Arizona industries, such as manufacturing, bioscience, health care, business, financial services, film and digital media. 

More investment is needed to scale CTE programs across Arizona to ensure that all learners have access to high-quality CTE programs in high-skill, high-wage and in-demand career fields.  SUSD specifically could use more employer partnerships to provide internship and work-based learning opportunities to the 2,400+ CTE students in our 18 different CTE pathways.  If you can help support CTE with a partnership, please reach out via this link. 

Our current list of programs is housed here.  In 2025-26, we will be adding Digital Photography and Business Management at select sites. Many of our programs offer dual enrollment credit (i.e., high school and college credits) and all programs offer leadership events for workforce skill development.  Last month alone, SUSD had 11 students place in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) competitions and 15 place in DECAcompetitions.  More than 20 students placed in Technical Theater competitions.  The list will continue to grow as spring conferences take place. 

Last year, more than 250 SUSD CTE students earned industry certifications and over 650 students will be program completers this school year. 

For more information about enrolling in CTE, please contact the guidance team at your local SUSD school or any CTE teacher listed on the school’s website directory.  If you are a CTE student and wish to apply to the internship programs, please start here and see your guidance counselor. 

 References: 

¹ Lightcast. (2024). The rising storm: Building a future-ready workforce to withstand the looming labor shortage.   

² Perkins Collaborative Resource Network, Perkins Data Explorer, customized Consolidated Annual Report data, 2022-23. 

³ Perkins Collaborative Resource Network, Perkins Data Explorer, customized Consolidated Annual Report data, 2021-22; U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Consolidated State Performance Report, 2010-11 through 2017-18; U.S. Department of Education, NCES, HSLS:09, Base-year, 2013 Update, High School Transcript, and Second Follow-Up. 

⁴ Carnevale, A. P., Cheah, B., & Wenzinger, E. (2021). The college payoff: More education doesn’t always mean more earnings. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce; College Board, Annual Survey of Colleges; NCES, IPEDS Fall 2021 Enrollment data and IPEDS 2022 Institutional Characteristics data. 

Scottsdale Unified School District prepares students for bright futures in a variety of ways.  Our Career and Technical Education program plays a major role in that, offering coursework in 17 different career pathways, as well as internships with local business community partners, in the following areas:

• Biotechnology
• Business Operations
• Coding & Software Development
• Criminal Justice
• Culinary
• Digital Publishing
• Engineering & Design
• Film & TV Production
• Finance
• Graphic Design
• Hospitality & Tourism
• Marketing
• Music & Audio Production
• Networking & Cybersecurity
• Nursing
• Sports Medicine
• Technical Theatre

Mason Renfer teaches the Finance track at Chaparral High School and was recently highlighted in Personal Finance Lab’s Teacher Highlight.  Think the world of finance is not relevant to high school students?  It most definitely is!  Read why here!

Top Chaparral CTE Student Nominated for National Recognition

Right before winter break, we learned that Chaparral High School’s Iulia Musat is one of five students nominated by the Office of the Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction for a 2024-2025 U.S. Presidential Scholarship in Career and Technical Education!  Candidates who selected based on evidence of academic rigor, technical competence, professional employability skills, and ingenuity and creativity.

As a semifinalist nominee, Iulia will be invited to apply for the National Review by the Commission on Presidential Scholars. Twenty outstanding U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education students from around the United States will be announced in May. 

Learn More at the Source

Meet Marty the Robot: A real, programmable robot … with character!

Recently, students in our “Design My Future” class at Mohave Middle School, under the direction of teacher James Cochran, had the opportunity to try their hands at programming with Marty the Robot! This fun little humanoid robot makes STEM learning fun and engaging for all students. Marty can walk, dance, and kick a ball as far as any kicker in the NFL. Okay, well maybe not that far, but you get the point. Marty supports block-based coding (Scratch), as well as text-based coding (Python). We cannot wait to make Marty a permanent fixture in SUSD! 

Enhancing CTE Programs with Innovative Robotics

We are also excited to introduce the Go1 robotic dog. Recently, students of Chaparral High School's Coding, Engineering and Criminal Justice classes (and the school SRO’s real pup, Rocket) had the unique opportunity to demo the Go1.

This hands-on experience not only showcased the robot's impressive features, such as human recognition, intelligent side-follow, and advanced AI processing, but also demonstrated its potential to foster collaborative education across curricular pathways (Coding, Engineering and Law & Public Safety). By integrating this robotic technology into our Career and Technical Education programs, we aim to enhance learning, encourage innovation, and prepare our students for future careers.

Planning for the Future

Many thanks to Scottsdale-based Bison Ventures, a coordinated originator of mortgages, and owners Stuart Crawford, Jeremy West and Ryan Madrid who recently hosted students from Mason Renfer’s first- and second-year CTE Finance classes at Chaparral High School.

The trio spoke of how much they enjoyed their high school DECA experiences and the struggles and joys of owning their own business and being entrepreneurs in a highly competitive business.  They explained the mortgage industry to students and how their varied career paths came together to create Bison.  The owners also impressed upon the Firebirds students the importance of networking, regardless of career paths.  Thank you, Bison Ventures!

Learn More at the Source

CTE has so many awesome Programs of Study for SUSD students!  Did you know that each of our programs are tied to the U.S. National Career Clusters?  Here is the current list of 2024-2025 courses being offered to our high school students. In the dark blue header, the U.S. Current Career Cluster is indicated.  This chart can help with course selections for the 2025-26 school year that are coming up this month and next.

This year, the national organization Advance CTE will be rolling out the newly revised National Career Clusters Framework. This is exciting news as we see a shift in focus to match more current occupational needs and titles.  The new purpose statement regarding the Career Clusters Framework from Advance CTE is this:

“The National Career Clusters Framework provides structural alignment and a common language to bridge education and work, empowering each learner to explore, decide and prepare for dynamic and evolving careers.”

One of the updates is to include Entrepreneurship with the Management cluster. This is a great thing for the U.S. economy, as innovation occurs and jobs are created through new companies and ideas. Students are interested in being their own boss, so offering business courses to support these activities is crucial. CTE has several innovation and business programs including plans to introduce a new Business Management pathway at the Coronado Entrepreneurship Hub in 2025-2026.

Here is a sneak peek at the new framework.  New clusters are the last three marked NEW.  Click each Career Cluster for definitions and Sub-Clusters:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Construction
• Supply Chain & Transportation
• Arts, Entertainment, & Design
• Hospitality, Events, & Tourism
• Financial Services
• Education
• Healthcare & Human Services
• Public Service & Safety
• Agriculture
• Energy & Natural Resources
• NEW - Digital Technology
• NEW - Marketing & Sales
• NEW - Management & Entrepreneurship

For students needing further assistance understanding these career pathways and the U.S. Career Clusters, please reach out to our team at the College and Career Readiness department.

Amy Downs – Director – adowns@susd.org
Anthony Vogel – CTE Teacher on Assignment – avogel@susd.org
Krista Demetrulias – Programs of Study Coordinator - kdemetrulias@susd.org

Maricopa County Attorney's Office

Recently, Criminal Justice students at Chaparral High School participated in a Career Day at the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. This hands-on experience included reviewing a case, analyzing evidence, and deciding whether to charge it as first-degree murder, manslaughter or self-defense. Students opted for manslaughter and provided strong reasoning behind their decision. They were so engaged, curious, and inspired to learn that the case review turned into a miniature productive debate. The students critically analyzed the Arizona Revised Statutes for each crime, all concepts covered in Tarnisha Tilson’s class. It was incredible to see them apply what they learned in a professional setting … and get it right!

Aspire Academy

During fall break, Chaparral senior Paige Heymann graduated from Chandler's Aspire Academy, a hands-on camp led by the Chandler Police and Fire Departments. The camp offers young women the chance to develop leadership skills and experience firefighting, law enforcement and emergency operations alongside professionals in these fields. Paige had an incredible experience learning various skills, including crime scene investigation and traffic stops.

SUSD’s 2024 College & Career Fair

The third edition of SUSD’s College & Career Fair was the best one yet!  

More than 1,500 SUSD high school students and families descended on Scottsdale Stadium’s Field House Sept. 14 with the opportunity to meet representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities from all corners of the country and everywhere in between.  Local community colleges, technical schools and the U.S. Armed Forces were there, as well.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) staff and our high school College and Career Center specialists were there to answer questions about the college application process and how and when to complete the critically important FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application.  Parents were especially pleased to learn about the district’s Major Clarity platform, a one-stop shop for college budget and financial aid information, career exploration and career-matching tools, academic planning for grades 6-12 and work-based learning tracking.  At a bay of computers, students logged in through Google Apps to the robust SUSD college and career planning platform and discovered how helpful it will be to them in planning their futures.

In the Work-Based Learning partnership row, CTE teachers and students combined with local employers to represent the district’s nine, in-demand fields in which the district offers high school students two-year programs of study: Business Operations, Communications Media Technology, Finance, Health Science, Hospitality and Tourism, Information Technology, Law and Public Safety, Marketing, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.  On-site community partners included Hyatt, MedSurge, NOAH, City of Scottsdale, AZ Youthforce, Scottsdale Rotary Club and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department.

We’re already looking forward to and planning next year’s fair!

Teen Court

Scottsdale Unified School District’s Criminal Justice program has officially launched its Teen Court program, a valuable work-based learning opportunity in partnership with the Maricopa County Superior Court Juvenile Division.

Teen Court is a Prevention/Diversion program aimed at addressing juvenile delinquency while educating students about the law and responsible citizenship. This program offers students a hands-on, courtroom experience where they take on roles such as attorneys, jurors, and court staff to determine appropriate consequences for peers involved in minor legal offenses.

Teen Court provides an excellent opportunity for students to apply their classroom knowledge of the legal system in a real-world context, while also honing critical thinking, public speaking, and decision-making skills.

Learn More at the Source

September 14 College & Career Fair

We are looking forward to hosting SUSD’s third annual College and Career Fair on Saturday, September 14 at the Field House at Scottsdale Stadium, 7408 E. Osborn Rd., Scottsdale!  From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. that day, SUSD students and their families are invited to meet representatives from more than 60 U.S. colleges and universities, as well as our own local community colleges and technical schools.  If your student is interested in serving the nation, representatives from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines will be there, too, as well as some of the U.S. military service academies.

Just as important as choosing the right school is being aware of the actual college application process. That’s why the College and Career Fair will also have resources available that day about scholarship resources and financial aid, how to complete the critical FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application and resume-building skills.

We hope to see you and your students there, engaging with people who can answer college and career questions and get your students navigating their paths toward successful careers and possible post-secondary options!

CTE’s Criminal Justice Students at Summer FBI Academy

It’s exciting to report that Chaparral High School was represented by three of our outstanding students at the local Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Field Office’s Teen Academy this past summer. Chaparral Criminal Justice instructor Tarnisha Tilson connected the trio to this wonderful opportunity. As this program is highly competitive, student selection is based on a well-crafted application and written assignment.

Seniors Angelina Rosacci, Marin Pittinsky, and Amy Fleming were among those chosen to take part in this summer’s Academy. This prestigious program offers high school students a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the agency. Participants gain insights into the FBI’s efforts to combat drugs, engage in hands-on training with the office’s evidence response team, interact with the FBI SWAT team, and meet agents and personnel dedicated to the FBI mission. 

Our students shared how much they learned and how much they enjoyed the experience. They even worked a mock crime scene and felt well-prepared, thanks to what they learned in their Chaparral Criminal Justice CTE class. Even more impressive, our students won the Crime Scene Challenge!

The officials involved in the Phoenix FBI Teen Academy had nothing but praise for our students. It is clear that our students and CTE faculty continue to live up to SUSD’s Elevate Excellence expectation!

Learn More at the SUSD Source

CTE in SUSD EXCEEDS ALL STATE MEASURES in the ANNUAL EVALUATION OF ITS PERFORMANCE!

Career and Technical Education provides students with technical and professional skills for their future.  Each year, the Arizona Department of Education compares each school district with Arizona statewide averages on many performance measures.  Students who complete 2.0 credits in a single CTE pathway are considered concentrators and are measured by these indicators.  SUSD is proud of its latest results!

Here are a few highlights from the just-completed 2023-2024 school year:

1. Number of CTE Concentrators who graduated with their cohort in May 2024:
   SUSD:  97.6%
   State Measurement:  83.7%

2. Number of CTE Concentrators who, in the second quarter after exiting from secondary education, were placed in postsecondary education or advanced training, in military service, in a service program that receives assistance through the National & Community Service Act of 1990, in the Peace Corps, or employed:
   SUSD:  82.6%
   State Measurement:  69.3%

3. Number of CTE concentrators who graduated from high school in the reporting year and earned a recognized credential for their program:
   SUSD:  98.5%
   State Measurement:  30.6%

4. Number of CTE concentrators who graduated from high school during the reporting year and passed the technical skills assessment for their program:
   SUSD:  91.0%
   State Measurement:  63.9%

Scottsdale Unified CTE students also exceeded the statewide average for reading, math, and science proficiency, as determined by the scores they earned on Arizona’s academic assessments.

CTE – Learning that works for Arizona!