More than 8,000 Wylie ISD students are enrolled in career and technical education courses, district officials told the Board of Trustees on Monday, Sept. 21.

The presentation outlined a CTE lineup that now spans 23 programs and 110 courses, according to Wylie News. Two new practicum tracks in exercise science and real estate were added for the 2025-26 school year. ROTC was also formally incorporated as a four-year CTE pathway. Wylie High School operates an Air Force Junior ROTC program, according to district records.

Business, marketing and finance draw the most CTE students districtwide. Health and exercise science ranks second.

The enrollment figures arrive alongside a rise in industry-based certifications. Wylie ISD students earned more than 1,888 certifications during the 2024-25 school year, a 53% jump from 1,236 the year before, according to the district. Certifications have climbed steadily: 522 in 2020-21, 893 in 2021-22, 1,032 in 2022-23 and 1,236 in 2023-24.

Former Executive Director of Career & Technical Education Jason Hudson said in an August 2025 district release that "the number of certifications earned has been an area of celebration for several years."

Leslie Dodson now leads the CTE department. The district announced in June 2026 that Dodson was named Executive Director of Secondary Curriculum and Career & Technical Education, a restructured role that oversees grades 7-12 curriculum and the CTE program. Dodson joined Wylie ISD in 2019 and has served as principal at Cooper Junior High and associate principal at Wylie High School, according to the district.

The district also recently named its new CTE facility the Marvin Fuller Career & Technical Education Center, located at the F.O. Birmingham Agriculture Center. Trustees announced the name at the Aug. 17 board meeting.

Wylie ISD was also named a 2026 CTE District of Distinction by the Career and Technical Association of Texas (CTAT), a statewide recognition that evaluates districts on industry-based certifications, workforce alignment and student outcomes, according to the district.