The DC State Office of Career and Technical Education (CTE) plays a vital role in shaping and advancing career-focused education across the District, ensuring that students receive high-quality learning experiences that prepare them for college and career success. Through strategic leadership, coordination, and technical assistance, the office supports a comprehensive statewide system designed to align educational opportunities with workforce demands. By fostering partnerships between local education agencies (LEAs), UDC-Community College, industry leaders, and community organizations, the office ensures that all students, particularly those in underserved communities, have access to equitable, rigorous, and career-relevant programs of study. These efforts focus on enhancing hands-on training, industry-recognized certifications, and work-based learning experiences that equip students with essential skills for the evolving job market.
As a steward of local and federal funding, the DC State Office of CTE allocates financial resources to sub-grantees, ensuring that LEAs and UDC-Community College can develop and sustain high-quality, career-aligned programs that meet both educational and labor market needs. These funds support the implementation of advanced coursework, workforce development initiatives, and innovative career pathways that bridge the gap between education and employment. The office also prioritizes accountability and continuous improvement, using data-driven evaluations to measure student success and program effectiveness. By investing in equity-driven strategies, strong industry collaborations, and forward-thinking educational models, the DC State Office of CTE remains committed to empowering students with the tools needed to thrive in college, careers, and beyond.
OSSE collaborates with the following network (DC CTE) of sub-grantees to provide high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs across the District.
• DCPS
• Maya Angelou Public Charter School
• Friendship Technical and Collegiate Public Charter Schools
• KIPP DC
• Sojourner Truth Public Charter School
• Idea Public Charter School
• District of Columbia International School
• Paul Public Charter School
• Girls Global Academy
• Cesar Chavez Public Charter Schools
• Washington Latin Public Charter Schools
• University of the District of Columbia Community College
• Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services
• Department of Corrections
To learn more about DC Career Technical Education (DC CTE) programming, click here.
Advanced Technical Centers (ATCs)
The Ward 5 and Ward 8 DC Advanced Technical Centers (ATCs) are a groundbreaking initiative designed to expand access to high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs for high school students across Washington, DC. The ATCs provides dual credit pathways in cybersecurity, clinical medical assistant, emergency medical technician, and general nursing, allowing students to earn both high school and college credits at no cost while remaining enrolled in their home high schools. These open-enrollment educational centers eliminate barriers to CTE access by offering industry-aligned coursework, hands-on training, and paid internship opportunities, ensuring students graduate with valuable industry credentials, college credits, and workforce-ready skills.
A key component of the ATCs success is its dual enrollment partnerships with Trinity Washington University and the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). Trinity Washington University and UDC both serve as instructional partners, offering college-level courses in cybersecurity (UDC) and healthcare (Trinity), where students earn postsecondary credits upon successful completion of courses. These partnerships ensure that students not only gain technical expertise but also early exposure to college coursework, setting them up for academic and career success.
To learn more about the Advanced Technical Centers (ATCs), click here.
Programs Contact
Clifton Martin, State Director
Career Technical Education Department
[email protected]
(202) 794-3594