The authors advocate harnessing the applied teaching strategies of career/technical education (CTE) and infusing them into college-preparatory academics to transform secondary schools into high-performing centers of learning where students are both challenged and engaged. By pursuing this strategy, say the authors, states can help many more students master both the academic content and the innovative thinking, problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills they will need for postsecondary studies and 21st-century careers. This report details the potential for an integrated academic and technical curriculum and the challenges that must be addressed by state, district and school leaders as they move forward. It also describes policy initiatives already under way in states that academic and career/technical studies can jointly thrive. Five specific challenges are identified: (1) Align new and existing career/technical curricula with essential college- and career-readiness standards; (2) Create a flexible system of optional career pathways in high schools to better prepare all students for college and careers; (3) Create a policy framework that keeps students' future options open by developing career/technical and academic programs that link high school to postsecondary studies and work, blend academic and technical studies, and connect students to a goal; (4) Assess the contributions career/technical education can make to improving academic and technical achievement; and (5) Prepare and enable career/technical teachers to teach essential academic skills through application in authentic activities, projects and problems. Recommended actions and tools that states can use to address each of the challenge areas are included. (Contains 29 footnotes.)