Victoria ISD Receives State CTE Distinction for Second Year
Published at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday November 15, 2025
Victoria Independent School District (VISD) students have the opportunity to embark on 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. This distinction highlights the program’s high-quality education and commitment to student success.
“This recognition highlights not only the program’s strong outcomes, such as high student engagement, industry certifications and successful transitions to college and careers, but also the district’s commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in CTE,” said VISD CTE Director Dena Justice.
The district’s CTE program includes 23 distinct programs of study divided into 12 career clusters. The CTAT distinction is awarded to districts across the state that demonstrate innovation, dedication and excellence in advancing CTE programs.
CTAT awards this distinction to school districts that excel in preparing the workforce for success through programs that align with industry demands, promote success and inspire best practices statewide.
“For students considering a CTE pathway, [the distinction] provides assurance that they will learn meaningful, real-world skills, earn industry-recognized certifications, and be well-prepared for college and career opportunities,” Justice said.
CTE District of Distinction recognition helps VISD further develop its relationships with community partners. This distinction allows the district to access new opportunities for partnerships with education and workforce development leaders in the community, according to the release.
“This indicates that the district is a trusted partner in preparing a pipeline of qualified talent, encouraging employers and regional workforce councils to engage in joint initiatives such as work-based learning, internships, mentoring programs and the development of industry-aligned curriculum,” Justice said.
The CTAT award does not directly provide additional funding to the district. This increases the visibility of VISD’s CTE program, strengthening future funding requests and partnership opportunities, Justice said.
VISD was selected for this distinction based on the district’s ability to meet the CTAT criteria. Criteria included innovative programs, 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 enable students to thrive in their chosen career paths,” Justice said.
The district prioritizes the continued professional development of CTE instructors to ensure high-quality education. VISD invests in state-of-the-art educational equipment and technology and regularly reviews curricula to ensure alignment with state standards.
“Data-driven decision-making and student feedback are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and identify opportunities for improvement,” Justice said. “Through these efforts, the district ensures that its CTE programs remain rigorous, relevant, and responsive to student interests and workforce demands.”
Michael Milliorn is a journalist for the Victoria Advocate. He can be contacted at michael.milliorn@vicad.com.
