Hot Topics Information and resources on topics of current interest Latest Hot Topics Previous Hot Topics *********************************** Ongoing Hot Issues Ongoing issues relevant to MH in schools and addressing barriers to learning and teaching

Commentaries Discussion of concerns related to Transforming Student/Learning Supports

Is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Enhancing Equity of Opportunity?

In a recent article entitled: Career and Technical Education's Unequal Dividends for High School Students: The Stratification of a New Generation Keith E. Howard, Nicol R. Howard, and Andrew F. Wall stress “Questions related to CTE career pathways persist, especially when considering the experiences of students in urban schools where what it means to be educated is directly tied to shifting labor markets. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00420859211073890

Here is the abstract from their study:

“We examined the relationships between high school CTE participation and indicators of career and college readiness using 2009 High School Longitudinal Study restricted-use data. Regression analyses of 2009–2018 data revealed significantly lower dropout rates for CTE participants, but only White CTE participants experienced better employment likelihood. CTE participants were mostly employed in service or manual labor occupations with below average wages and were significantly less likely to attend a 4-year college. CTE benefits were disproportionate by race and gender, and participation may have a “cooling out” effect on the aspirations of some students. Advising and urban education implications are discussed.”