The Impact of Career Education on Middle Schools in the United States

This article discusses the topic of career education in the United States. It provides a brief history of Career Technical Education (CTE) along with legislative changes from the early 1900s to present day. Studies surrounding CTE in elementary to postsecondary school, along with notable benefits fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational forum of teaching and studies Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 34 - 70
Main Author Montello, Justin
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Marietta American Scholars Press, Inc 01.04.2024
Subjects
21st century
Accountability
Career Education
Careers
Curricula
Educational Change
Elementary schools
Federal aid to vocational education
Federal funding
Graduation rate
Learner Engagement
Learning
Middle schools
No Child Left Behind Act 2001-US
Occupations
School districts
Secondary schools
Skills
Student Motivation
Student participation
Technical Education
United States > US
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Summary:This article discusses the topic of career education in the United States. It provides a brief history of Career Technical Education (CTE) along with legislative changes from the early 1900s to present day. Studies surrounding CTE in elementary to postsecondary school, along with notable benefits for students are presented. Benefits of early CTE programming increased graduation rates, indicated higher student attendance, showed higher academic engagement, and found students reported increased personal confidence and motivation, less stress, and enjoyment of meaningful learning opportunities. These findings were consistent across learners and school districts, irrespective of socioeconomic status. Middle school is identified as a significant time to implement CTE programs as students develop self-realization and self-exploration during adolescence. Despite Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Perkins V are federal laws calling for CTE programs at the middle and high school level, barriers to preventing successful implementation of such programs remain. To overcome such barriers, administrators and teachers are advised to provide appropriate professional development (PD), and being cognizant of the benefits associated with CTE programs. Overall, this article identifies the need for CTE in middle schools.
ISSN:1555-872X