Career and Technical Education

This brief, the second in the College and Career Development Organizer series, summarizes the goals and expectations of college and career readiness that have been collected and organizes this information into three key threads: 1) Core Content; 2) Pathways Content; 3) Lifelong Learning Skills. Along with a brief description of each thread, key components are highlighted and examples of each type of goal and expectation are provided.

In this brief, the National High School Center provides an overview of the College and Career Development Organizer. First, the brief describes the organizer and its intended use, providing specific examples of what it is and is not designed to do. Then, it walks potential users through the organizer to familiarize them with its content. Finally, the brief concludes with key considerations for those engaged in college and career readiness work.

This 4-year longitudinal study evaluates the experiences of high school graduates enrolled in tech prep programs in eight regions across the nation. The study reports on their demographics, college readiness risk indicators, vocational interests, and performance as a function of graduation requirements at their high schools. The researchers reported no differences between participants and non-participants of tech prep programs with regard to college enrollment rates and percentage of students completing a degree or certificate.

This brief summarizes a study designed to assess the effectiveness of dual enrollment programs with increasing high school graduation and college achievement. Data from participating dual enrollment students in Florida and New York City and a comparison group were collected, with a specific emphasis on students in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Results suggested that dual enrollment did encourage college success for students, including students in CTE programs, and particularly so for males and low-income students

This report evaluates the progress made in the implementing School-to-Work (STW) programs, which are designed to align the education system with the workplace by preparing students for college and employment opportunities. This evaluation surveyed local partnerships between schools and employers, case studies for states, surveyed 12th grade and college students, and analyzed the transcripts of students in the high school sample.

This series of fact sheets From Achieve provide strategies, key talking points and resources for discussing the college-and career-ready agenda. These resources may be most useful to state and local administrators in discussing the college and career readiness reforms within their state or district.

In this report, the author discusses the shift to a mentality that all students need to go on to college in order to be successful in life. He identifies several reasons within the changing economy that support this belief and describes skills that are crucial in today's workforce.

This report provides a profile of 38 schools and details how these schools have implemented strategies to promote and advance college readiness. The report outlines each school, characteristics that make the school unique, and lessons learned from undertaking particular strategies. The report is organized into six sections: 1) alternative schools, 2) charter schools, 3) comprehensive schools, 4) early college high schools, 5) magnet schools, and 6) private schools. In several cases, schools may have utilized more than one strategy to achieve their goal.

In this conference paper, the author notes that good jobs require access to postsecondary education and training. There is a growing economic divide between adults with and without postsecondary education and training. The author recommends that policies be put into place that assist non-traditional students and students with barriers to access postsecondary education.