MDRC recently published a report that explores the resurgence and popularity of CTE as a path to providing learners with in-demand skills and preparation for today’s labor market. It also tackles challenges and opportunities that would enable CTE to scale up and systematize its most effective elements and models.
The report makes the case for CTE as a solution to the skills gap crisis due to its nature as a hands-on learning model and demonstrated positive association with learner workforce and postsecondary outcomes. Researchers note that career-related certificates and associate degrees lead to higher employment rates and increased wages, yet access to high-quality CTE and early postsecondary programs remains limited, which further exacerbates inequality and makes credential attainment for underrepresented populations more difficult.
To combat these challenges and help CTE fulfill its potential for all learners, researchers made some of the following recommendations:
- Tie education and training to booming economic sectors by building regional capacity to align CTE and workforce needs.
- Ensure that evidence-based program models remain faithful to their purpose by scaling practices while adapting to diverse labor markets and contexts.
- Disseminate CTE research to help inform policymakers and practitioners about emerging trends and practices.
- Expand data collection capacities to build the knowledge base and help practitioners understand the variation in outcomes for specific student populations.
In particular, researchers recommend that leaders prioritize ensuring equitable access to programs for underrepresented learners as they seek to entrench CTE in the fabric of the American education and workforce system.
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