Eight years after their expected graduation date, students who focused on career and technical education (CTE) courses while in high school had higher median annual earnings than students who did not focus on CTE.
1) Students are More Likely to Graduate and Enroll in College
Juniors and seniors in high school who complete CTE courses are more likely to graduate on time and less likely to drop out of school compared to those who don’t participate in CTE programs. Taking one CTE class for every two academic classes minimizes the risk of students dropping out of high school. Additionally, the average high school graduation rate for students concentrating in CTE programs is 93 percent, compared to the national average of 80 percent. Furthermore, 91 percent of high school graduates who earned two to three CTE credits enrolled in college.
2) Students Have the Potential to Earn Higher Wages
A recent study on CTE found that students who take upper-level vocational courses experience a nearly two percent wage increase each additional year they take a CTE course in high school. Further studies suggest that, on average, a CTE degree can increase earnings by approximately 14 percent for shorter-term certificates (representing 6 to 17 credits) to 45 percent for associate degrees (which require 60 or more credits).The study discovered that CTE students who focus more deeply in one area of study experience the greatest results, higher wages, and increased satisfaction in CTE programs.
3) Students Stay Engaged
Students who take CTE courses know that they will be able to directly apply their learning to careers when they graduate. Hands-on learning experiences enable CTE students to apply practical skills to real-world scenarios while building content mastery. CTE prepares students for high-demand careers with a depth of learning that builds real-world skills, helping your student graduate ready for a job, certification, or technical school.
CTE courses are based on state standards, and each course—including C.N.A., Auto Technology, Information Technology, and Electrical Technology—contributes to a program of study in which students progress through introductory, intermediate, and capstone courses. Students develop academic and industry-specific skills that prepare them for related certification exams and help them earn the industry credentials employers are seeking. The active learning approach used in high-quality online courses is proven to develop critical thinking skills and prepares students for success in the workforce.