Dive Brief:

• Career and technical education classes, no longer encouraged just for students who don’t plan to go to college, can have far-reaching benefits beyond job training.
• District Administration reports CTE courses for a single career concentration give students a diverse perspective of the industry and help students learn skills that will help them in whatever job they choose.
• Students who take CTE classes are less likely to drop out, find mentors who will help them for years to come and graduate high school with specialized training that sets them up for higher-paying jobs in the workforce.

Dive Insight:

Career and technical education programs can make school more relevant to students and therefore more engaging. They also help schools achieve a goal of preparing students for college and career. CTE programs also can introduce students to career paths they may otherwise have missed and send them to college with a more focused plan for their continuing education.

For students who are getting priced out of higher education, vocational training in high school cannot be overlooked as an opportunity to set them up for a well-paying job upon graduation. Early college high schools can achieve similar outcomes, giving students technology experience and connections to industry along with an associate degree through a free public education. While some educators hope students go on to a four-year school after finishing their programs, they are also well-positioned to go straight into the workforce.