By: Kathryn Hodgins, Content and Public Relations Specialist, FlexPoint

Career and Technical Education (CTE) has never been more essential and more full of opportunity. As industry standards shift, certifications evolve, and workforce needs change, educators face increasing pressure to keep their programs current, accessible, and aligned to high‑wage, high‑demand careers.

During our recent ACTE CareerTech Vision presentation, From Roadblocks to Results, our FlexPoint presenters, Tina Leslie, Elizabeth Fulcher, and Phillip Napier, highlighted the biggest challenges CTE programs face today and how digital curriculum is uniquely positioned to overcome them. If you weren’t able to join us, here’s a closer look at the core roadblocks we discussed and the solutions that are helping districts nationwide move from struggle to success.

1. Scheduling Conflict: Class Schedules Can Limit Access to CTE

Students only have so many hours in their day, and traditional course scheduling isn't always on their side.

Between core academic requirements, athletics, band, world languages, and personal interests, CTE courses often compete for the same limited course space. Even highly motivated students may find they simply can’t fit a full CTE pathway into their schedules.

This challenge is especially noteworthy because it affects all school districts, regardless of size, population, or location.

How digital curriculum solves it:

Digital CTE courses provide students with access to their curriculum at any time and from anywhere. This means students can explore a CTE course:

• Before or after school
• During free periods
• On weekends
• Even late at night, if that’s when they’re most productive

As students gain more control over their learning schedule, CTE stops competing for space and becomes far more accessible. 

2. Access Limitations: When Geography and Staffing Stand in the Way

Many districts, especially less populated or smaller school systems, struggle with limited access to CTE pathways and may offer fewer programs than schools in larger, more populated districts.

Lack of certified local instructors

In fields such as cybersecurity, medical, IT, and skilled trades, industry professionals often earn significantly more than they would in the classroom. This makes it difficult to recruit and retain quality certified instructors.

Geographic barriers

Some districts lack the enrollment or local industry partnerships needed to sustain certain pathways or provide hands-on experiences. 

Teachers covering multiple course preparations

CTE instructors frequently teach Levels 1, 2, and 3 of a program simultaneously. That means juggling multiple courses, projects, and student needs at once.

How digital curriculum solves it:

Digital CTE provides a ready‑to‑teach curriculum that aligns with standards and certification needs.

Courses come fully developed, industry‑vetted, meet national standards, and help prepare students for in‑demand certifications. Teachers don’t have to build units from scratch, update materials each year, or chase down resources to keep up with industry changes. The curriculum is already current, aligned, and ready for immediate classroom use.

Digital CTE provides scalable access, allowing small districts to offer programs they otherwise couldn’t. 

Schools no longer need a full roster or a certified on‑site instructor to launch or sustain a pathway. Digital CTE removes geographical and staffing limitations, enabling small, remote, and low‑enrollment schools to offer courses such as cybersecurity, data analytics, machine learning, or health sciences that were previously out of reach. This opens doors for students who would otherwise have limited career‑focused options.

Digital CTE provides content that supports independent learning, so teachers can focus their attention where it’s needed most. 

Because digital courses include interactive lessons, virtual labs, embedded assessments, and clear progress guides, students can work more independently and at their own pace. This allows teachers to spend their time where it has the most impact: supporting hands‑on activities, providing individualized instruction, conducting discussion‑based assessments, and helping students apply skills. It’s especially powerful for teachers managing multiple course preparations or mixed‑level classes.

3. Cost and Completion Gaps: When Program Funding Doesn’t Match Program Needs

CTE is, by nature, resource‑intensive. Traditional programs may require:

• Physical labs
• Specialized equipment
• Consumable materials
• On‑site observations
• Updated textbooks and curriculum

How digital curriculum solves it:

Digital CTE eliminates the need for textbooks.

Courses include up‑to‑date instructional content, interactive lessons, and built‑in assessments, alleviating the cost of purchasing or replacing printed materials each time standards or certifications change.

Digital CTE incorporates interactive simulations and virtual labs.

Instead of investing in expensive equipment, consumable materials, or specialized lab spaces, districts can leverage virtual labs and simulations included in digital courses. These tools provide students with hands‑on practice and skill-development experiences in areas like health science, IT, and agriscience, without requiring a physical setup.

Digital CTE provides aligned content for certifications and credentialing. 

Courses are built to support the exact content and sequencing students need to prepare for certification exams, reducing the need for supplemental study materials and increasing the potential pass rate.

Digital CTE helps districts recapture funding by ensuring students can complete their pathways, even if the final course isn’t offered in-person. 

Digital CTE pathways allow students to finish required courses, particularly the “last course” needed for program completion, even when a school doesn’t have the enrollment, staff, or resources to offer it on-site. This flexibility helps districts secure valuable funding tied to program completion and industry certification attainment. Instead of losing potential revenue or leaving students without a path forward, schools and districts can use digital curriculum to keep pathways open and ensure students meet their goals.

Digital CTE Is More Than a Backup Plan - It’s a Powerful Equalizer

Digital CTE doesn’t replace hands‑on learning; it enhances it. By breaking down barriers related to scheduling, staffing, geography, and cost, digital curriculum ensures that more students have access to meaningful, future‑focused opportunities. When districts can offer high‑demand pathways regardless of size or resources, students benefit from a more equitable and robust learning experience. And when teachers gain tools that streamline their work and strengthen instructional quality, programs thrive. With the right digital solutions in place, CTE becomes more accessible, more sustainable, and more aligned to the evolving needs of today’s workforce.

For more CTE best practices, research-backed strategies, tips, and worksheets, download our free CTE Guide for school and district leaders. 

About the author: Katie Hodgins is the Content and Public Relations Specialist for FlexPoint, dedicated to telling the stories of our students, families, and the schools and districts we work with to showcase the positive impact of online learning. A military veteran and lifelong learner, Katie brings a unique perspective to education and communication. With a passion for amplifying voices and creating meaningful connections, she leverages her experience in storytelling and strategic outreach to highlight innovations in online education.