Career and Technical Education

Supporting High Quality Career and Technical Education Through Federal and State Policy

This paper illustrates the advantages of career and technical education in high schools in order to retain students and provide those students that are not college bound the skills needed to be successful after graduation. The authors provide recommendations on how federal resources can support a systemic approach to knowledge and skill development for all youth. These recommendations provide policymakers ideas on how federal and state policies can support a greater role for CTE in high school reform.

How Rural High Schools are Preparing Students for College and Careers through Dual Enrollment and Career and Technical Education

In this webinar, presenters Larry McClenny, Superintendent, Patton Springs ISD, Kristina Baca, Superintendent, Loving Municipal Schools, and John White, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Rural Outreach, U.S. Department of Education discuss how rural schools are preparing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in college and in jobs by creating learning opportunities through dual enrollment and career and technical education. The panelists discussed the challenges and successes of collaborating with partners such as community colleges and local businesses.

Farther, Faster: Six Promising Programs Show How Career Pathway Bridges Help Basic Skills Students Earn Credentials That Matter

This brief from CLASP discusses six promising programs that show how career pathway bridges help lower-skilled students move farther and faster along college and career paths through dual enrollment in linked basic skills and occupational certificate courses. The brief finds that these bridges both engage instructors and administrators and bring basic skills students into the mainstream of colleges. Finally, it is asserted that at minimum, career pathways bridges should create shorter, more relevant paths to credentials that matter in the local economy.

Unlocking Doors and Expanding Opportunity: Moving Beyond the Limiting Reality of College and Career Readiness in California High Schools

This policy brief from The Education Trust-West discusses the need for a more educated workforce. The author examines the effects of low expectations and coursework rigor for all students, especially low-income students and students of color, and provides recommendations that include a more integrated and equitable approach.

Student Learning Plans: Supporting Every Student's Transition to College and Career

This policy brief from the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy describes student learning plans (SLPs) as a way to prepare students for the transition from school to college and career. The brief includes an overview of SLPs, the research on their effectiveness to improve student outcomes, and the implementation of SLPs in other states. While the brief was written for Massachusetts policymakers, the information and recommendations are useful for other audiences.

Linking Learning to the 21st Century: Preparing All Students for College, Career, and Civic Participation

This policy brief by the National Education Policy Center discusses the characteristics, benefits, and challenges of Linked Learning, a school framework in which academic content is integrated with career and technical education (CTE), and the two content areas are contextualized in real-world situations.

Preparing Students for College and Career: California Multiple Pathways

This issue brief, sponsored by the Alliance for Excellent Education, discusses using multiple pathways to prepare students for college and career. The author examines the effects of California’s multiple pathways programs on high school students, concluding that multiple pathways can increase high school graduation rates, engagement, achievement, and college and career readiness. The author also provides recommendations that include addressing federal laws, funding stream structures, and policies that inhibit multiple pathway programs.

Project Lead the Way Works: A New Type of Career and Technical Program

This study from the Southern Regional Education Board compared the outcomes of Project Lead the Way (PLTW) relative to the High Schools That Work (HSTW) program. The majority of study participants were white males who had parents that pursued postsecondary education. PLTW students had higher scores in math and science on the NAEP-referenced HSTW Assessment than similar HSTW career/technical students in comparable career/technical fields and all fields.

Promoting College Access and Success: A Review of Credit-based Transition Programs

This report examines the research literature on credit-based transition programs: dual enrollment, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Tech Prep, and Middle College High Schools (MCHS). It includes the variation in implementation and summarizes findings from 21 research evaluations. Recommendations on future research are provided.

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Career and Technical Education