The Role and Impact of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in High Schools
Career and Technical Education (CTE) equips high school students with technical skills, academic knowledge, and hands-on experiences, preparing them for success in college and careers. By addressing workforce challenges, such as the skills gap, CTE fosters economic competitiveness and helps students transition seamlessly into rewarding professions. This article explores how CTE programs contribute to student development and highlights their educational and workforce outcomes.
What is CTE and Why It Matters?
CTE provides personalized learning experiences tailored to students’ career interests and educational needs. These programs combine academic instruction with career-focused training, offering opportunities to explore specific career paths while acquiring technical and employability skills. CTE pathways often connect with postsecondary education, apprenticeships, or direct employment, enabling students to gain certifications or degrees that meet the demands of current and emerging professions.
A critical issue CTE addresses is the skills gap—the shortage of qualified workers for “middle-skill” jobs requiring a high school diploma, postsecondary certificate, or associate degree. These positions, such as roles in healthcare, IT, and skilled trades, account for 30 million U.S. jobs offering median earnings of $55,000 or more. Programs like CTE ensure students are equipped with the technical expertise and credentials to fill these roles.
Participation and Concentration in CTE
Participation in CTE is widespread, with over three-fourths (77%) of 9th-grade public school students in 2009 earning at least one CTE credit by their senior year in 2013. However, fewer students concentrated in a specific career area, with only 37% earning two or more credits within a single program of study. These participation and concentration rates varied across demographic groups, reflecting diverse levels of engagement.
To better understand CTE participation, the U.S. Department of Education categorizes students into:
- CTE Participants: Students earning at least one CTE credit.
- CTE Concentrators: Students earning two or more credits in a single program, such as Health Science or Business Management.
Focus on STEM and Popular Career Clusters
In the 2016–17 school year, 35% of all high school CTE concentrations were in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and STEM-related fields, such as Health Science and Information Technology. The highest percentages of STEM-related concentrations were observed in:
- District of Columbia: 70%
- Missouri: 50%
- Ohio and Arkansas: 49%
- Florida: 48%
Nationwide, the most popular career clusters included:
- Arts, Audio-Visual Technology, and Communication (12%)
- Business Management and Administration (11%)
- Health Science (11%)
These clusters reflect both student interests and regional workforce needs, emphasizing CTE’s adaptability to local economic conditions.
How CTE Programs Are Delivered
Nearly all public school districts (98%) offered CTE programs in the 2016–17 school year. These programs incorporated diverse learning opportunities:
- Work-Based Learning: Internships, clinical experiences, and cooperative education (77%).
- Dual Credit Courses: Courses earning both high school and college credit (73%).
- Employer Mentoring: Local professionals guiding students (65%).
- Student-Run Enterprises: Practical business management experiences (55%).
CTE programs were delivered across various settings, including traditional high schools (83%), part-time CTE centers (43%), and community or technical colleges (35%). Online and hybrid learning options were also available in 30% of districts, reflecting the evolution of flexible educational models.
CTE Outcomes: Education and Workforce Readiness
CTE concentrators consistently outperform their peers in key educational and employment outcomes:
- Graduation Rates:
- 94% of CTE concentrators graduated on time, compared to 86% of non-concentrators.
- Within three years, 98% of CTE concentrators earned their diplomas, compared to 92% of non-concentrators.
- Postsecondary Enrollment:
- 84% of CTE concentrators enrolled in postsecondary education within eight years of high school, compared to 82% of non-concentrators.
- Employment Outcomes:
- Eight years after graduation, 72% of CTE concentrators were employed full-time, compared to 67% of non-concentrators.
- Median annual earnings for CTE concentrators were $23,950, nearly $4,000 higher than the $20,015 median for non-concentrators.
These outcomes highlight CTE’s role in bridging the gap between education and the workforce, equipping students with the skills needed for sustainable career growth.
Conclusion
CTE is a critical pathway for preparing students for the demands of today’s workforce. By addressing the skills gap, fostering employability, and offering personalized learning opportunities, CTE ensures that students graduate ready to succeed in both higher education and meaningful careers. As a versatile and impactful educational model, CTE continues to play a key role in shaping a skilled, adaptable, and competitive workforce.
By integrating academic knowledge, technical training, and hands-on experience, CTE bridges the gap between education and employment, helping students achieve their full potential in a rapidly changing economy.