Overview
Each year, we accept applications from local education agencies (LEAs) that want to start, reinstate or change a career technical education (CTE) program in middle school or high school. Approved programs may be eligible for Program Added Cost Funds and other funding, such as grants and incentives.
Applications for the 2027-28 school year are due at 5 p.m. MST on Feb. 15, 2027.
Who should apply
Use this application to:
- Request a new program or pathway
- Reinstate a program you previously offered
- Change an existing program, including:
- Switching from a cluster program to a pathway program, or from a pathway program to a cluster program
- Changing the pathway or cluster within the same program area
- Moving a program from one school to another
- Make changes that affect a career technical center (CTC)
If your LEA doesn’t have an approved program on file with us and you’d like to be considered for future Program Added-Cost funding, now is the time to apply.
Submit a separate application for each program request.
Before you apply
Before you request a new program, make sure your LEA can address:
- Industry support: Bring together a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) or community and industry representatives to help shape the proposed program. Their input should recommend offering it in your LEA.
- Facility and equipment costs: Plan for the cost of creating and equipping the classroom, lab or shop.
- Teacher endorsement: Confirm the endorsement the program requires. Review the Assignment Manual.
Plan as a team
We expect each application to be a collaborative effort between CTE teachers and building and LEA administrators. Set aside time to meet and talk it through before you start.
Gather what you’ll need
The application includes these sections:
- LEA information
- Proposed CTE program
- Teacher FTE
- Program request status
- CTE program areas and pathways
- TAC involvement
- Student leadership involvement
- Work experience and facilities
- Program assurances
- Approval contacts
You can preview the entire form before you begin, so you can gather the information and documents you’ll need.
Take your facility photos first
The facilities section asks you to upload floor-to-ceiling photos of each quadrant of your classroom and lab or shop. Stand in the center of each room and photograph each corner. Taking these photos before you start will save you time.
How to apply
Step 1: Open the application
Open the 2027-28 Secondary Program Request Application or the 2027-28 Middle School Program Request Application.
You can save your application as a draft for up to two months. Drafts that aren’t submitted within two months are deleted automatically.
Step 2: Complete and review your application
Complete every section, then review your application for accuracy and completeness. You can edit and resubmit an application after you submit it, but resubmissions must also meet the Feb. 15 deadline.
You can save your application as a draft for up to two months. Drafts that aren’t submitted within two months are deleted automatically.
Step 3: Submit your application
Check the box at the bottom of the form and select Submit. Only a CTE administrator or superintendent can submit the application. You’ll receive an email confirming your submission.
Step 4: Get superintendent approval
After you submit, a copy goes to your superintendent for approval. Only the superintendent can approve the application, and it isn’t complete until they do. You’re responsible for making sure your superintendent approves it before the deadline.
How funding works
If funding is available, approved new and reinstated programs may be eligible for Program Added-Cost funds. Approved programs may also qualify for other funding, such as grants and incentives.
State Board of Education policy allows us to approve programs based on existing funding. That means we can approve your program as long as your LEA is willing and able to start it without Program Added-Cost funds from us. Other ways to fund a new program include:
- Existing Program Added-Cost funds your LEA already receives
- CTC funding, if the new pathway is part of a CTC
- Perkins V funds, if your LEA’s Perkins project includes the new program
- LEA general funds or other funding sources
State Board of Education policy allows us to approve programs based on existing funding. That means we can approve your program as long as your LEA is willing and able to start it without Program Added-Cost funds from us. Other ways to fund a new program include:
- Existing Program Added-Cost funds your LEA already receives
- CTC funding, if the new pathway is part of a CTC
- Perkins V funds, if your LEA’s Perkins project includes the new program
- LEA general funds or other funding sources
Important dates
- Applications for the 2027-28 school year are due Feb. 15, 2027, at 5 p.m. MST.
- Your superintendent must approve your application by the deadline.
- Drafts that aren’t submitted within two months are deleted.
Frequently asked questions
What if I'm only adding a teacher to an existing program?
You don’t need to submit this application. Report the new teacher on your Local Annual Application (LAA) in the spring.
How do I know which of our programs are already approved?
Your LAA in ShareFile lists your current approved CTE programs. Don’t submit an application for a program that’s already approved.
Who should I contact with questions?
Contact the program quality manager for your program area at any point before, during or after the application process. For questions about career technical student organizations (CTSOs), contact the Director of Student Leadership. You’ll find everyone’s contact information in the Contact Us section.