What’s changing in Ohio?
- The Ohio Middle School CTE Waiver Expiration 2026 will change how districts deliver Career-Technical Education for grades 7–8. Starting July 1, 2026, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce will no longer accept waivers for middle school CTE requirements, meaning all districts must provide Career-Technical Education for grades 7–8..
- This aligns with House Bill 66, eliminating CTE waiver options beginning with the 2026–2027 school year.
What this means for your Ohio district
- All city, local, and exempted village school districts must now offer CTE courses to grades 7 and 8 with no exceptions.
- By March 1 each year, districts within CTE planning districts (CTPDs) must submit new or continuing program applications to ODEW
- Districts must submit a CTE plan for grades 7–12 to the Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW), and update it every five years.
- The plan must reflect current and emerging needs of students, community, and industry, and follow criteria under OAC 3301-61-03.
Ohio’s CTE requirements at a glance
- 12/8 Rule: CTPDs must offer at least 12 programs across 8 career fields. Smaller districts (FTE < 2,250) must offer 10 programs across 8 fields
- Advisory committees and properly equipped facilities are mandatory components
- Programs must include multiple courses, integrate student industry standards, credentials, academic content, work-based learning, and assessments.
What the Ohio Middle School CTE Waiver Expiration 2026 Means for Schools
- Ohio offers Career Connections (grades 7–9) and middle-grade CTE courses (grades 7–10), as well as high school-level CTE (grades 7–12).
- Educators need a standard teaching license for middle-grade CTE, plus a middle-school validation or CTE alternative license.
- Most CTE offerings require only validation via short online modules; high school-equivalent courses require full CTE credentials.
What steps should schools take now?
- Meet with your CTPD and feeder high schools to align programming and pathways.
- Review your current courses and pathways- ensure they align to approved high school CTE, provide exploration and skill development, and align with community needs.
- Assess staffing and facilities- Do you have qualified personnel, validation/licenses, lab spaces, and equipment to deliver high-quality CTE?
- Update and submit your CTE plan to ODEW by the deadlines (including five-year reviews and March 1 application submissions).
How LocoRobo can support STEM-based CTE in grades 7–8
- Standard Aligned Middle-Grade Courses
Ready-to-teach CTE modules in Computer Science, Robotics, Drones, Artificial Intelligence, and Aviation. These courses map directly to Ohio career fields such as Information Technology, Engineering & Science Technologies, and Transportation Systems. They integrate seamlessly with high school programs of study, ensuring vertical alignment in your CTE-26 plan. - Support You Can Count On
Get personalized support, ongoing content updates, and live guidance that fit the Middle School Validation requirement timeline. Teachers can step into CTE instruction with confidence, even without prior industry background. - Curricular Integration and Pathway Planning
LocoRobo’s STEM-based CTE modules align with Ohio’s standards and multiple career fields. LocoRobo supports hands-on exploration, self-awareness, employability, and technical skill development. - Implementation Partnership
We support staff with training and help integrate work-based learning and real-world application into programs.
Additional Planning Resources
To help districts prepare, we recommend two upcoming opportunities hosted by EnvisionEdPlus:
- Pathways Incubator Virtual Series
This 5-part series runs from October 1 through January 2026 and walks teams through building middle or high school pathways aligned with student interests, employer needs, and state requirements. Over the sessions, your team will:- Identify workforce and student needs
- Design high-quality curriculum and credentials
- Integrate work-based learning
- Prepare for critical friend review and implementation
EnvisionEdPlus has already helped build more than 300 successful pathways in fields ranging from advanced manufacturing to healthcare. This series simplifies the process so your team can move forward with confidence. Register here.
- School Grant Boot Camp
Alongside pathway planning, EnvisionEdPlus also offers a practical grant workshop designed to help schools secure funding for new and expanding programs. This session covers best practices for grant writing and funding strategies. Learn more here.
