Career and Technical Education (CTE) Graduation Rates in Tennessee

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is an integral component of the student success equation for high school students. The former vocational education track where students could develop pertinent skills for a specific trade or vocation has now evolved into stringent curriculum standards which lead to career pathways for high skill, high wage, and high demand career choices. Academic standards are reinforced through CTE and students develop the technical skills needed to be successful in today's global world. CTE programs of study are no longer just a set of elective classes to take; they are rapidly becoming the most sought after courses when planning for a future career. Students are realizing that they can get a jump start on their career choice by enrolling in preliminary courses at the high school level. As a result of this new awareness, states across the country are realizing that CTE students who complete a focused program of study tend to graduate more often and at a much higher rate than all the other high school students. Research from this study does, in fact, provide evidence that graduates with a CTE concentration help improve a school's overall graduation rate.

Autorentext

Dr. Melissa Loveless earned her Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis in 2011. She currently works as a Technology instructor at her school, is the lead Future Business Leaders of America adviser, and the Career and Technical Education Assistant Principal. She has been involved in career and technical education for the past 13 years.