Victoria ISD receives CTE state distinction for second year
Published 3:00 am Saturday, November 15, 2025
Students at the Victoria Independent School District (VISD) have the opportunity to engage in a career path and learn the inner workings of a profession through one of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
The Career and Technical Association of Texas (CTAT) selected VISD as a CTE District of Distinction for the second year in a row. The distinction highlights the program’s high-quality education and commitment to student success.
“This recognition highlights not only strong program outcomes, such as high student engagement, industry certifications and successful transitions to college and careers, but also the district’s dedication to continuous improvement and innovation in CTE,” Dena Justice, VISD CTE Director, said.
The district’s CTE Program features 23 distinct programs of study across 12 career clusters. The CTAT distinction is awarded to districts across the state that show innovation, dedication, and excellence in advancing CTE programming.
CTAT awards the distinction to school districts that excel in workforce success preparation through programs that align with industry demands, promote success and inspire best practices statewide.
“For students considering a CTE pathway, [the distinction] provides confidence that they will gain meaningful, real-world skills, earn industry-recognized certifications and be well prepared for both college and career opportunities,” Justice said.
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The CTE District of Distinction recognition helps VISD further grow relationships with community partners. The distinction allows the district to access new opportunities for partnerships with educational and workforce development leaders in the community, according to the release.
“It signals that the district is a trusted partner in preparing a skilled talent pipeline, encouraging employers and regional workforce boards to engage in joint initiatives such as work-based learning, internships, mentorship programs and industry-aligned curriculum development,” Justice said.
The CTAT distinction does not directly provide additional funding to the district. It increases the visibility of VISD’s CTE program, strengthening future funding applications and partnership opportunities, Justice said.
VISD was selected for the distinction based on the district’s ability to meet CTAT criteria. The criteria included innovative programming, industry-based certifications, alignment with workforce needs and high student outcomes.
“Earning and maintaining this distinction validates the district’s efforts to provide meaningful, real-world learning experiences that empower students to thrive in their chosen career pathways,” Justice said.
The district prioritizes continued professional development for CTE instructors to ensure a high quality of education. VISD invests in up-to-date equipment and instructional technology and routinely reviews curriculum to guarantee alignment with state standards..
“Data-driven decision-making and student feedback are used to evaluate program effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement,” Justice said. “Through these efforts, the district ensures that its CTE programs remain rigorous, relevant and responsive to both student interests and workforce demands.”
Michael Milliorn is a news reporter for the Victoria Advocate. He can be reached at [email protected].
