Career and Technical Education Finance: Impact of State-Level Policy Changes

• In Event: New Evidence in Career and Technical Education Policy

Abstract

States are increasingly adopting changes to K-12 funding systems in order to promote and encourage student engagement in secondary-level CTE. However, little is known regarding whether and how these changes induce higher levels of meaningful and useful CTE engagement. Here, we contribute to the literature on CTE funding policy in several ways. First, we provide an overview of the current state of CTE funding policies across the U.S. and discuss different types of recent CTE funding policy changes. We then make use of national-level data to evaluate two funding policy changes that have been adopted across multiple states. We conclude by calling for increased attention on strengthening data collections in order to evaluate changes to CTE funding systems more accurately.

Authors

• Mary M. Smith, Vanderbilt University

• Shaun Michael Dougherty, Boston College