More Missouri students are training for future careers while still in high school.
Sixty-three percent of the state's high school students participated in at least one career or technical education program in the 2011-2012 school year. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education says that's a 3 percent increase from the previous year.
Career and technical education programs combine academics and occupational skills training. The goal is to allow students to learn more about possible career paths in areas such as agriculture, business, health sciences and marketing.
Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro said that students need to have the skills necessary to succeed in today's globally competitive world.