SRS Emphasizes Career and Technical Education Opportunities

Sorenson’s Ranch School emphasizes providing Career and Technical Education opportunities for its students. From ranch work to food service, residents have the opportunity to engage in multiple hands-on vocational activities. CTE classes significantly boost post-secondary success across the country. Students who complete high school CTE pathways are more likely to graduate on time, to enroll in two-year community colleges, to enter high-demand fields like healthcare, and obtain vocational certificates or associate degrees. As a result, community college graduates from CTE programs see substantial earnings bumps. Vocational degrees and certificates yield average returns of 12% to 23%, with the healthcare sector generating the highest economic mobility. Another advantage to CTE curriculum is addressing gaps in equity. Underrepresented and low-income students, particularly Latino and Black students, often see greater relative benefits from CTE courses in terms of high school graduation rates and immediate job market preparedness. Integrating CTE classes with high school and dual-enrollment curriculum accelerates post-secondary credential completion and smooths the transition into the workforce. California has heavily prioritized these pathways to bridge the gap between education and the labor market, where one-third of jobs require postsecondary training but less than a four-year degree. The state subsidizes the Career Technical Education Grant (CTEIG) and the Strong Workforce Program to align local community colleges and high schools with regional industry demands. California is not alone in this effort. Recently, Utah Speaker Mike Schultz has made CTE a top priority. “We are giving more students opportunities to learn in a way that makes sense for them – and help them succeed after graduation.” https://house.utleg.gov/local-food-processing-2/ The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) reports that 99% of students who complete a CTE program graduate high school, as opposed to 89% generally. In 2024, the Utah Legislature acknowledged the success of CTE programs by creating a grant program to provide opportunities across the state. 29 school districts and charter schools are taking advantage of this funding to align students’ natural aptitudes with practical, career-connected pathways built for real world success. Sorenson’s Ranch School continues to implement the CTE curriculum it pioneered in 1951, providing its students with optimized outcomes while leading the way for secondary schools across the state and nation.