Office of College, Career and Technical Education

Innovation Career Pathways

Innovation Career Pathways are designed to give students coursework and experience in a specific high-demand industry, such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, life sciences and advanced manufacturing.

Innovation Career Pathways are designed to create strong partnerships with employers in order to expose students to career options and help them develop knowledge and skills related to their chosen field of study before they graduate high school.

Schools and districts that have received the Innovation Career Pathways designation

To learn more about Innovation Career Pathways, review the Innovation Career Pathway Criteria .

Please check this page regularly for updates. If you are seeking additional information on the designation process, please email pathways@doe.mass.edu .

Innovation Pathways Designation Timeline — School Year 2024-25

May 29, 2024 — Online Workshop for Prospective Applicants
June – September 2024 — 1:1 support sessions (on demand) with prospective applicants, and technical assistance via "office hours"
Thursday, October 24, 2024 — Part A Application due , Apply online via Alchemer
Late October – Mid-November 2024 — Part A Application review by DESE staff
Mid-November 2024 — Part A Notifications — Successful applicants invited to submit Part B
Mid-November 2024 — January 2025 — Part B webinar, technical assistance via "office hours," 1:1 supports on demand, "Designing for Equity Workshop"
Thursday, February 6, 2025 — Part B Application Due
February 7 – 25, 2025 — Part B Application review by DESE staff
End of February – mid-March 2025 — Applicant Interviews with DESE (Online)
Late March 2025 — Designation recommendations are reviewed by the DESE Senior Leadership
By early April 2025 — Designations conferred by DESE Commissioner

Last Updated: October 3, 2024