The ACTE Quality CTE Program of Study Framework gives CTE professionals a common definition of what high-quality CTE looks like in practice. Grounded in research and developed with input from the field, the Framework identifies 12 elements and more than 90 criteria that together describe the essential components of a strong CTE program—from curriculum and instruction to student supports, industry partnerships, work-based learning, CTSOs, career development, and continuous improvement.

For CTE professionals, that makes the Framework especially valuable as a tool for improvement, collaboration and conversation. It can help teams see their programs from a broader perspective, connect secondary and postsecondary efforts, inform professional learning and program planning, and provide a foundation for meaningful discussions about quality. ACTE’s self-evaluation is intentionally designed as a collaborative process rather than simply a score.

Ultimately, high-quality CTE is not about checking every box. It is about creating programs where learners experience rigorous, relevant and connected learning that prepares them for further education, meaningful careers and lives of choice. The Framework gives CTE professionals a shared roadmap for continually getting better at that work.