CCSD highlights growth in CTE, AP and dual-enrollment; trustees approve update

Clark County School District officials presented an update on advanced coursework, career and technical education (CTE), dual enrollment and International Baccalaureate programming at the Feb. 12 board meeting and received trustee approval to continue expansion.

Dustin Mansell and Gia Moore said CCSD now offers CTE at every high school and completed a transition from three-year to two-year CTE pathways, improving pathway completion rates (reported at about 65.1 percent) and aligning courses to industry credentials. Moore attributed much of the work to Perkins grant funding and partnerships with the Nevada System of Higher Education and industry partners; she estimated the district receives about $14 million per year in Perkins funding.

The presentation noted substantial increases in AP participation (up 72 percent over five years) and reported about 21,000 students enrolled in AP coursework for 2025–26; CCSD covers AP exam fees for students, which Moore said removes a barrier (each AP exam costs roughly $100 if not district-covered). Dual-enrollment participation has grown with most students passing (approximate 97 percent pass rate for college credit), and the district reported examples of students graduating with associate degrees via dual-enrollment pathways. Moore and Mansell emphasized industry alignment, pathway coherence and expanding work-based learning and internships.

Trustees asked about Perkins grant projections, ongoing sustainability, hiring qualified CTE instructors, how dual-enrollment is delivered (on-campus credentialed teachers, CSN/NSHE partnerships, virtual and jump-start models) and how to better market and scale successful programs. Moore said the district will continue seeking business and philanthropic partnerships and highlighted examples (including Nevada Gold Mines paying for some instruction in industrial programs) that place graduates directly into local jobs.

Public commenters and higher-education partners praised the work. The board voted to approve the update and trustees encouraged amplification of the district’s successes to attract partners and help students access work-based learning.

What’s next: Trustees asked for continued outreach to business and philanthropic partners, a planned Perkins grant submission to the Nevada Department of Education, and continued tracking of program completion and equity across student groups.