High School CTE Participation Associated with Positive Post-Secondary Results

SuzAnne Driscoll

A review of 28 studies conducted over the past two decades reveals that high school students who participated in career and technical education (CTE) programs were more likely to be employed after graduation compared to their peers who did not participate. The report, titled "What We Know About the Impact of Career and Technical Education: A Systematic Review of the Research," was compiled by the CTE Research Network, which aims to expand the evidence surrounding the impact of CTE programs on student outcomes. In essence, the organization seeks to determine whether there is a causal link between participating in CTE and positive workforce outcomes after high school.

As concerns about the Skills Gap grow and the cost of university education continues to rise, CTE programs are gaining prominence among high school students. A 2019 study showed that nearly 85% of high school graduates had completed at least one year of CTE coursework, and this number was recorded six years ago. This suggests that outreach efforts, such as those by Be Pro Be Proud NC—part of a broader national initiative to introduce middle and high school students to careers in skilled professions—are making a significant impact on how students and parents view post-secondary education options