Published online in: American Educational Research Journal October 31, 2017 Michael A. Gottfried, University of California Santa Barbara Jay Stratte Plasman, University of California Santa Barbara Abstract While prior studies have examined the efficacy of career and technical education (CTE) courses on high school students’ outcomes, there is little knowledge on timing of these courses and a potential link to student outcomes. We asked if the timing of these courses predicted differences in the likelihood of dropout and on-time high school graduation as well as college-going behaviors. We found that CTE coursetaking in high school was linked to lower chances of dropout and increased chances of on-time graduation, especially when these courses were taken later in high school. Little evidence arose that CTE coursetaking boosts college-going behaviors. The implications speak to the role of timing of CTE coursetaking, specifically on end of high school outcomes.
Read the news release —"Taking Career and Technical Education Courses Later in High School Reduces Chances of Dropping Out and Improves On-Time Graduation"— here.
Career and Tech Ed Courses Don't Boost Chances of College-Going, Study Finds Education Week, October 31, 2017
The findings come as CTE has become en vogue among policymakers (Morning Education) Politico, October 31, 2017 Study finds connection between CTE courses, graduation Education Dive, October 31, 2017 Study: Career and Tech Ed Provides Slight Boost for High School Achievement Diverse Issues in Higher Education, October 31, 2017
Linking the Timing of Career and Technical Education Coursetaking With High School Dropout and College-Going Behavior