School administrators may question why high schools offer CTE programs. It can be challenging to update a school’s curriculum, especially in larger districts. However, with one of the primary mandates of every K12 school being to prepare students for college and the workforce, introducing programs designed to help achieve career readiness simply makes sense. The benefits are measurable.
High Schools that Offer CTE Programs See Higher Graduation Rates
CTE programs have a measurable impact on graduation rates, increasing the likelihood of a student graduating by nearly 10%. According to a study entitled from IES, “…students who complete a sequence of CTE courses aligned to a specific career field … were 7 percentage points more likely than non-CTE concentrators to graduate from high school on time and 10 percentage points more likely to enroll in any type of postsecondary education within two years of their expected high school graduation year.” In other words, completing a CTE program in high school increases graduation rates and college attendance rates.
Students Who Complete a K12 CTE Program Earn Higher Incomes
According to the U.S. Department of Education,“ eight years after their expected graduation date, students who focused on career and technical education (CTE) courses while in high school had higher median annual earnings than students who did not focus on CTE.”
What Does It Really Mean?
These statistics demonstrate that K12 schools with CTE programs not only have better graduation rates but also they create a future workforce that is more likely to contribute to the community, attend college, and earn more money. The implications go beyond the success of the school, however. When a country has a more educated citizenry with a higher level of income, societal standards as a whole rise for everyone in the country. It impacts the economy, the GDP, the level of innovation the country can offer, and the competitiveness of the country’s economy as whole.
Implementing a CTE Program
Schools that are interested in implementing career readiness programs in their schools can start by identifying the goals they have. When working with the CTE department, local community businesses, and GG4L, you can rapidly deploy a comprehensive career readiness program that includes access to industry-recognized certifications, work-based learning opportunities, and internships. To learn more, visit our website.
