Driven by a growing student demand for more opportunities to build job-related skills, the College Board continues to expand its footprint to focus on career exploration and preparation in addition to its programs aimed at college-bound students.

The nonprofit announced in late 2024 that it would expand its Advanced Placement program into career and technical education (CTE) classes. In December 2025, it unveiled a partnership with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to expand the teacher pipeline for CTE coursework. Last month, the board announced it had acquired the nonprofit District C and its work-based learning program called Teamship.

The investments highlight the need to expose all students to the many careers and pathways available so they can make informed decisions, said Alisha Hyslop of the Association for Career and Technical Education. The nonprofits International Baccalaureate and Cambridge International Education have also created career-focused programs, she said.

These developments come as a growing number of students feel disengaged with traditional high school, and students and parents are questioning the return on investment of a four-year college education. Many school districts are offering students opportunities to explore a range of post-high school pathways.

Education Week, Jan. 30