Examining the College and Career Engagement of High School Students

• In Event: Secondary Career and Technical Education: Success and Impacts

Abstract

In this study, we examined the role of a career academy in supporting the college and career readiness of high school students by comparing students’ engagement in college and career preparatory activities at a high-performing magnet NAF Academy of Information Technology to that at a traditional, comprehensive high school. We used propensity score matching and compared 299 matched pairs at each high school. Then, based on ordinary least squares regression results, we found that students who participated in an academy had higher levels of engagement in both college and career preparatory activities. We also provided implications for practice and policy.

Authors

• Edward C. Fletcher, The Ohio State University - Columbus

• Amber D. Dumford, University of South Florida - Tampa