NCSD should be made a statewide CTE pilot

North Carolina helped invent modern public education in the South. We can lead again — by turning the North Carolina School for the Deaf (NCSD) in Morganton into a statewide pilot for high-quality Career & Technical Education (CTE) tailored for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Under Superintendent Dr. Kristin Todd, NCSD is well-positioned to prove what’s possible when language-rich classrooms are connected to real careers, dual enrollment, apprenticeships, and industry credentials.

Despite progress, deaf Americans still face a stubborn employment gap. The National Deaf Center’s analyses of Census data show that only about 54%–56% of deaf adults are employed, compared to roughly 70% of hearing adults.

Closing that gap takes intentional preparation, work-based learning, and credentials that signal skills to employers.

CTE is one of the most proven ways to boost graduation and workforce outcomes. North Carolina’s own data show CTE concentrators graduate at approximately 98%, well above the state’s overall graduation rate.

That’s not just a number; it’s a runway to middle-skill jobs, stackable credentials, and college success for students who too often get left behind.

Research backs this up nationally: studies — including work by Shaun Dougherty and syntheses from the CTE Research Network — find that students who take a coherent sequence of CTE courses are more likely to graduate, enroll in postsecondary programs, and earn more than similar peers. Those effects are especially strong when programs align to industry needs and include work-based learning.

NCSD already has building blocks in place. Students can take CTE courses, earn credentials, and access Career & College Promise (CCP) dual-enrollment options for college credit — exactly the infrastructure a pilot can scale.

And as a state, we have enabling policy and partners ready to go: Perkins V gives states innovation flexibility; Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) under WIOA bring career exploration and workplace readiness into high school; WPCC offers tuition-free CCP courses; and ApprenticeshipNC provides registered youth apprenticeship pathways with transcript credit.

Here’s a focused two-year pilot North Carolina can adopt statewide:

(1) Launch high-demand clusters that fit regional jobs and accessibility — Advanced Manufacturing/Mechatronics, IT (help desk/cyber), Health Science (patient care tech & medical interpreting support roles), Construction/Carpentry, and A/V Technology & Communications (ASL media production) — with ASL-first instruction and safety adaptations;

(2) Guarantee CCP dual-enrollment so every junior/senior earns at least two tuition-free college courses leading to recognized credentials;

(3) Register pre-apprenticeships in 11th grade and convert to paid apprenticeships through ApprenticeshipNC;

(4) Braid Pre-ETS with CTE via an MOU so required WIOA funds cover career exploration, workplace readiness, and coaching;

(5) Convene an employer & agency advisory council quarterly; and

(6) Track clear metrics on concentrator rates, credentials, work-based learning, dual credits, and 12-month post-exit outcomes.

What the state should do:

(A) designate NCSD as a CTE Innovation Pilot under DPI’s CTE division and ESDB, with a small Perkins V reserve set-aside to adapt curriculum, lab safety, and assessments for deaf learners;

(B) fund accessibility at the program level — interpreting, captioning, vibrating alarms, and visual safety systems in labs — so work-based learning is safe and equitable; and

(C) publish transparent outcomes each semester and share toolkits so Eastern NC School for the Deaf and district programs can replicate quickly.

When deaf students complete coherent CTE sequences with authentic work experiences, the evidence says they graduate more, continue their education more, and earn more.

Pair that with North Carolina’s already high CTE graduation results, and we can narrow the employment gap while meeting the state’s workforce needs — making North Carolina a national beacon for deaf education and career readiness.

NCSD is ready. With Dr. Kristin Todd at the helm, DPI, VR, and the community college system as partners, and employers at the table, we can build a model others will copy.

Let’s launch “CTE that signs” in Morganton — and show the country how to do this right.

About NCSD

• Located in Morganton, serves deaf and hard-of-hearing students from across North Carolina.
• Offers language-rich classrooms, related services, athletics, and residential life.
• Students can access CTE courses, industry credentials, and Career & College Promise (dual enrollment) options.
• Active partnerships with DPI, VR/DSDHH, and the NC Community College System enable work-based learning.