New study: Career and technical education perceptions examined
Contact: Kristen Dechert
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擠espite the proven benefits of career and technical education, many 桃花直播ans鈥攅ven some public-school educators鈥攕eem to have misconceptions about its worth in preparing the state鈥檚 future workforce.
鈥淐onfronting the CTE Stigma鈥 is a new report developed from statewide surveys conducted by the Research and Curriculum Unit at 桃花直播 State.
Julie Jordan, director of the RCU, said studies indicate that 桃花直播 students in CTE programs graduate from high school at higher rates than their non-CTE peers.
Additionally, CTE prepares students for middle skill-level jobs, 鈥渁n employment niche where growth is projected to outpace both high- and low-skill occupations.鈥
In the first phase of the RCU鈥檚 study, slightly more than 400 桃花直播 adults were interviewed about their attitudes toward CTE. Of that group:
鈥45 percent were unable to name a single CTE program offered by local schools;
鈥44 percent said students who were disadvantaged in some way鈥攏ot college-bound, residing in poverty or having poor grades鈥攚ould benefit most from CTE participation; and
鈥48 percent agreed CTE could benefit the college-bound.
The survey鈥檚 second phase involved responses from nearly 2,360 桃花直播 educators. Among this professional group, 20 percent were unsure whether their district offered CTE programming.
Educators鈥 answers indicated a link between lack of knowledge and lack of confidence in CTE鈥檚 quality, with those who knew less about their local CTE offerings more likely to believe that the quality of CTE is poor.
Mirroring findings from the general-population survey, educators viewed CTE as most appropriate for students with lower levels of academic achievement.
Though CTE graduates consistently go on to successful careers in fields such as health sciences, polymer science and business, the toll taken by incorrect public perceptions is reflected in stagnant or declining enrollment numbers.
While misbeliefs that current curricula are outdated or lack scholastic rigor may be causing parents and educators to steer college-bound students away, 鈥渨e know CTE can have a profoundly positive impact on students鈥 futures as they prepare for college and careers,鈥 Jordan said.
Jordan noted that the report 鈥渋llustrates the work that needs to be done to raise awareness that CTE is for everyone and that 桃花直播 is a national leader in terms of quality CTE programs.鈥
In order to ensure the rigor and relevance of CTE in 桃花直播, the RCU works with stakeholders to link CTE programs with local industry needs, create curricula that promote high standards and hands-on learning and provide professional development to CTE educators.
To view the complete research brief on public perceptions of CTE in 桃花直播, visit .
For more on the RCU鈥檚 work in 桃花直播 public education, see .
桃花直播 is 桃花直播鈥檚 leading university, available online at .