Joint Technical Education Districts

In 1990, the Arizona Legislature enacted statutes that allowed the State’s public school districts to form joint technical education districts (JTEDs) for the purpose of improving career and technical education (CTE). Since then, 14 JTEDs have formed throughout the State, and 99 school districts have joined a JTED thereby becoming JTED member districts, leaving only five school districts that offered CTE in fiscal year 2016 not part of a JTED. CTE in Arizona is delivered through one of three models—at JTED central campuses, at JTED member districts’ satellite campuses, and at school districts that are not part of a JTED. Between fiscal years 2011 and 2016, total state-wide CTE course enrollment grew, but the number of students funded decreased because of a statutory change. Districts shared similarities in CTE delivery and student outcomes, but differences existed both among and within CTE models. Further, although almost half of member districts’ CTE programs were duplicated, several challenges limit consolidation opportunities. Additionally, the CTE programs and their content that districts offered were impacted by CTE model, campus locations, and whether there were clear industry standards. In analyzing state-wide fiscal year 2016 spending on CTE, Arizona districts spent approximately $219 million on CTE, nearly half of which was for CTE teacher salaries and benefits. Spending by JTEDs during fiscal years 2012 through 2016 was mostly for instruction and construction but varied among JTEDs due to developmental and operational differences. Districts have implemented practices to address barriers to students’ access to and awareness of CTE programs and have taken steps to continue improving CTE program quality, and JTEDs provided member districts with varied services that reflected differences in amounts of JTED monies they allocated to their member districts. Finally, CTE in Arizona faces challenges but also has opportunities to continue improving.