Kansas State Department of Education Names 2025 Career and Technical Education Scholars

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) announced this week that 200 Kansas high school seniors have earned the recognition as 2025 Kansas Career and Technical Education (CTE) Scholars. They were announced Tuesday at the Kansas State Board of Education meeting in Topeka.

The Kansas CTE Scholar program is an opportunity to recognize well-rounded, outstanding CTE students who are finishing their senior year of high school. The first Kansas CTE Scholars were named in 2017.

To be named a CTE Scholar, a student must be a high school senior and meet the following criteria:

• Have completed (or upon successful completion of current course enrollment) a minimum of three CTE credits with at least two of the three credits above introductory level. Earned credits must be in one pathway.
• Have a CTE grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better in CTE coursework.
• Be involved in civic engagement leadership, which refers to a student selecting an issue of concern and providing leadership through project-based actions to improve the community, state or nation; or have a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer experience. A letter of validation is required for civic engagement leadership, and documentation of 40 hours with an adult signature is required for community service.

They must earn and verify at least one of the following technical skill attainment options

• Earn an end of pathway (aligned with pathway selected) assessment/certification for completer status (industry- recognized certification or a passing score on a third-party, end-of- pathway assessment) recorded on the Kansas Pathway Assessments, Credentials or Certifications columns eight (8) and nine (9).
• Earn an Excel in CTE Qualifying Recognized Credential aligned to the Pathway selected.
• Earn nine (9) + college hours leading to completion of a certificate, or post-secondary program aligned to the Pathway’s Program of Study that was selected.
• Complete a high-quality work-based learning career preparation experience, Kansas Work-Based Learning Continuum, in the Pathway selected defined in Kansas Work-Based Learning: Personalized Learning Plan Guidance Document.

 CTE scholars receive a commemorative pin, special certificate, graduation honor cord and statewide recognition.

2025 Kansas CTE Scholars:

See the full list at www.ksde.gov