Career Academies: Impacts on Students' Engagement and Performance in High School

This study from MDRC uses a large-scale, multisite, experimental design to determine the effects of Career Academies on a range of student educational, developmental, and work-related outcomes, including student achievement and student engagement. This report provides information on the implementation of Career Academies. According to this study, Career Academies produce positive results, including improved high school outcomes for students at high risk of dropping out, increased likelihood of graduating on time for students at low risk of dropping out, and increased levels of interpersonal support and participation in career awareness and work-based learning activities. Career Academies did not improve student scores on standardized math and reading achievement tests.