A recent Fresnoland report highlights how school districts across the Central Valley are expanding Career Technical Education (CTE) — and starting it earlier, with some districts introducing career-focused lessons as young as elementary school. Statewide, CTE pathway completion has grown from 18% of students in 2018 to more than 26% in 2025, as more families see hands-on career training as a valuable complement — or alternative — to a traditional four-year degree path.

This growth mirrors exactly what Veva Islas has championed in Trustee Area 4. At Duncan Polytechnical High, students train in fields like automotive technology, welding, nursing, and pharmacy. At McLane High, the Medical Education and Research Academy (MERA) and Art Venture give students a head start on healthcare and creative career paths. And through the district’s partnership with the Center for Advanced Research and Technology (CART), Area 4 students can explore everything from legal studies to environmental justice before they graduate.

As the article notes, expanding CTE isn’t just about job training — it’s about helping students discover their passion sooner and giving every student, not just the college-bound, a clear path forward. It’s a vision Veva has worked to build in Area 4, and one she’ll continue to champion on the board.