Low-Income Student Participation in High School Applied STEM Career and Technical Education (AS-CTE) Coursework: A Cross-Cohort Analysis

• In Event: 35.050 - Advancing Career and Technical Education (CTE) Research: Who Is Served by CTE and How Does CTE Serve Them?

Abstract

The 2006 Perkins Act reauthorization provides federal funding for career and technical education (CTE) in the country. The act highlights the need to increase participation in CTE work for “special populations” – including low-income students – in coursework related to math and science fields. This study examines the profiles of low-income student applied STEM CTE (AS-CTE) coursetaking in cohorts before and after this reauthorization. We found low-income students in the class of 2013 were more likely to participate in AS-CTE compared to the class of 2004, and that this change was due predominantly to increases in the freshman year. We also found that low-income female students in the class of 2013 were expected to complete fewer AS-CTE units. Implications are discussed.

Authors

• Jay Plasman, The Ohio State University

• Michael A. Gottfried, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Daniel Klasik, The George Washington University