In Prince George’s County, administrators are careful not to downplay academic rigor, but are finding increased success with career and technical education as more students eschew a traditional path to college for a direct route to the work force.

“College-ready and work-ready mean the same thing,” said Verjeana Jacobs, chairwoman of Prince George’s Board of Education. “If our students make the choice to go to college, it will not be because they’re not prepared to do anything else.”