What We Know About the Impact of CTE: A recently published report by the CTE Research Network explored the causal effects of CTE on student outcomes through a systematic review of literature spanning the past 20 years. The report concluded that CTE has a positive impact on student outcomes such as academic achievement, high school completion, employability skills and college readiness in comparison to those who did not take any CTE courses.
More findings and insights below:
- Students who participate in CTE in high school are more likely to be enrolled in a two-year college or be employed after graduation than their non-CTE counterparts, with no statistically significant impact on four-year college enrollment.
- The literature review found no statistically significant negative impacts of CTE participation.
- Researchers highlighted CTE’s impacts on student achievement in postsecondary education as well as CTE’s effect on discipline, attendance, degree attainment and earnings as current research topics for which evidence is lacking.
- Researchers determined that not enough evidence exists about different CTE delivery models to distinguish impact or effectiveness.
ACTE is a lead in the CTE Research Network.
Work in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: The American Enterprise Institute has published a report that analyzes how artificial intelligence (AI) will affect jobs, skills and the evolution of work through the automation of a variety of tasks. Experts found that AI could add approximately $2.6-$4.4 trillion annually across the globe through industries such as banking, software, technology and the life sciences, highlighting the importance of adapting educational curricula across the nation to accommodate this technology.
According to the analysis, most studies have found to date that AI’s effect on employment has been minimal. While predictions for the future vary greatly, the expectation of skills that are likely to be impacted by AI has shifted over the years from manual tasks to tasks such as writing.
The following list shares recommendations on how state and federal policies can support workers as they navigate this new technological era:
- Invest in sector-based training programs as a worker-centered approach.
- Support displaced workers through job counseling and relocation and financial support during the retraining, transition and job search processes.
- Authorize worker-owned personal employment training accounts through federal legislation.
- Invest in career guidance and counseling, particularly in areas with high concentrations of low-income students.
Sector-based Training Programs: MDRC recently published a report on sector-based training programs that provides insight into the factors that enable sector-based programs to be successful. Researchers discovered that training providers are struggling to provide proper services to workers, with lack of funding and capacity for data collection and analysis seriously hindering their options for program advancement and improvement.
The following list describes insights and recommendations on sector-based training struggles:
- Providers report frequently suffering from data overload with little to no capacity to digest and interpret data.
- Funding opportunities from third parties often lead to rushed expansion that overextends staff and hinders original program models, structures and ideologies.
- Limited staff capacity hinders development and sustainability of industry partnerships, often leading to insufficient pathways for workers and incorrection perceptions of training programs.
- Interviewees identified personal and professional alumni networks as crucial supports.
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