Interweaving Futures: A Case Study on CTE Integration in Middle School Education

• In Event: Research in Progress Roundtable Session 2
  In Invited Roundtable: Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Research: Career and Technology Education for Teachers and Students (Table 16)

Abstract

This dissertation explores the implementation of CTE programs in middle schools, addressing the limited understanding of how these programs are adapted for younger students. Using a qualitative case study of a successful New Jersey middle school, this research examines strategies, curricula, and pedagogical practices involved in integrating CTE. Data collection includes semi-structured interviews with administrators and teachers, classroom observations, and artifact analysis. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, the study identifies factors contributing to successful implementation, challenges faced by educators, and ways to integrate academic and career-focused skills. The findings aim to inform CTE practices, policy decisions, and future research on CTE in middle schools.

Author

• Kelly A Harmon, Kean University