Support with LEGO® Education
CTE Funding Guide for K-12
Federal and state Career & Technical Education (CTE) funding, led by the Perkins Act, can open the door to hands-on, future-ready learning. See how LEGO® Education solutions align to build stronger pathways for every student.
Career & Technical Education is a vital part of preparing every student with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to explore careers, spark curiosity, and succeed in a rapidly changing world.
Through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V) and other state investments, billions of dollars flow to districts every year to strengthen career pathways, expand equity, and connect learning with workforce needs.
Perkins funding isn’t just limited to high school—it can also support CTE exploration in the middle grades, giving students an earlier start. Early exposure to CTE Career Clusters is especially powerful in grades 5–8, where students begin to connect what they’re learning to real-world possibilities. By weaving career awareness and hands-on STEM into these formative years, districts can create a stronger pipeline into high school CTE programs — setting the stage for deeper skill-building, industry credentials, and long-term career readiness.
Go deeper with this in-depth article on why introducing CTE in grades 5-8 boosts engagement, strengthens career awareness, and builds a stronger pipeline for high school pathways.
CTE funding is designed to achieve more than program compliance—it’s about transforming learning.
- Access & Equity – Ensure all students, regardless of background, can access high-quality CTE opportunities
- Workforce Alignment – Prepare students with the technical and employability skills they’ll need for tomorrow’s jobs
- Innovation & Engagement – Bring hands-on, engaging learning experiences into the classroom to increase participation and success
LEGO® Education directly supports these priorities by giving students authentic, hands-on experiences that connect academic knowledge with technical application.
With LEGO® Education, CTE funding isn’t just a box to check. It’s an opportunity to spark student passion, drive meaningful exploration, and build future-ready skills. Our solutions are flexible and standards-aligned and built to meet districts where they are. Perkins and state CTE funds can cover many aspects of building strong programs, including curriculum, teacher training, professional development, and equipment.
- Explore Robotics & Engineering Design – Build, test, and iterate in ways that mirror industry practice
- Learn Computer Science & Coding – Develop computational thinking and programming skills through playful projects
- Connect Classroom to Career – See how creativity and technical skills translate into real-world pathways
- Strengthen Core STEM Skills – Foster problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking in every build
SPIKE™ Essential and SPIKE™ Prime are designed to be more than kits—they’re gateways to creativity, collaboration, and career exploration. Districts can confidently map these solutions into their state-approved CTE pathways, making them eligible under Perkins and other state-level programs.
