Causal Evidence for Career and Technical Education: A Review and Synthesis

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

Abstract

Career and technical education (CTE), also known as vocational, occupational, and workforce education, is widespread at both the high school and college levels. Despite a plethora of research on CTE, little is known about the causal effects of CTE on student outcomes. This paper reports the findings of an evidence review and synthesis of the causal secondary-level CTE research of the past 20 years. We conducted a thorough review using What Works Clearinghouse standards and procedures, resulting in the identification of 28 studies that met evidence standards for causal methods, and then carried out a synthesis using meta-analyses. We find that CTE has significant, positive causal impacts on some student outcomes, including high school and employment outcomes.

Authors

• Katherine Hughes, American Institutes for Research

• James J. Lindsay, American Institutes for Research