One of the stated goals of career and technical education (CTE) is to improve the labor market outcomes of participants. One population of students for which concentration CTE may be particularly beneficial is those who determine they will not pursue postsecondary education. By exploring how occupational concentration--defined as earning three or…

To estimate whether information can close socioeconomic gaps in parents' aspirations for their child's postsecondary education, we administer a four-armed survey experiment to a nationally representative sample of U.S. parents. After respondents estimate costs of and returns to further education, we ask whether they prefer that their child pursue…

"Return on Investment, What is the Value of the Associate Degree?" provides a checklist of high-impact practices that colleges can employ to support students on their journey to degree completion and potentially improved employment outcomes. Mark Schneider, vice president and institute fellow, American Institutes for Research (DC),…

The Certification Data Exchange Project (CDEP) was launched in 2012 to provide a model for sharing industry-recognized credential attainment data. Increasingly, employers and education leaders are recognizing the value of industry credentials to verify the knowledge, skills and abilities that students bring to the workforce. As states take steps…

The Alaska Performance Scholarship is beginning its eighth year, rewarding students who strive to excel in high school and continue their education in degree and certificate programs. Since the program began in 2011: (1) 17,148 high school students have completed the eligibility requirements for APS; and (2) 7,630 students have used the…

Senior Economist Jonathan Rothwell of Gallup, presents data on employment outcomes for college graduates from different types of colleges. He also provides findings from the Gallup-USA Funds Associate Degree Graduates Survey which shows there are a number of student experiences that are highly predictive of overall life-evaluation. He cites the…

Strong economic growth through much of the period since 2000 and demographic pressures such as workforce aging, have contributed to a robust demand for skilled tradespeople. Despite a decline following the economic recession in 2008 and 2009, new registrations in apprenticeship programs have increased nearly 200% since the 1990s. Apprenticeship…

Urban Alliance serves at-risk youth through its high school internship program, which provides training, mentoring, and work experience to high school seniors from distressed communities. The program aims to help youth move on to higher education or employment after graduation. The Urban Institute is conducting a six-year, randomized controlled…

In October 1992, Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) surveyed all 173 students who had graduated between June 1991 and July 1992 to determine their current educational and employment status and their perceptions of WNCC. Completed surveys were received from 130 graduates, for a response rate of 75%. Study findings included the following: (1)…

The third biennial outcome evaluation of the state of Washington's workforce development system analyzed the results of nine of the state's largest workforce development programs plus employer-provided training for participants who left programs from July 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998. For reporting results, the nine programs were grouped into three…

In December 1995, Florida's Saint Petersburg Junior College undertook a study of graduates from 1994-95 to obtain information on their current activities, determine their satisfaction with programs and services, and obtain data to supplement college reports. Of the 2,612 completers from 1994-95, 1,410 completed surveys. Study findings included the…

In January 1989, a study was conducted at Johnson County Community College (JCCC), in Kansas, of students who graduated, received certificates, or completed sufficient courses to have obtained new skills or enhanced existing skills during the 1987-88 academic year. The purpose of the study was to determine the experiences, perceptions, and…

In August 1996, the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges conducted a study of the characteristics of workers enrolled in state and federally funded job skills enhancement training programs from 1990 to 1995 to determine related needs for the state's community and technical colleges. Data sources included a survey of 1,151…

A follow-up survey of high school and postsecondary vocational and technical graduates and the employers of those graduates was conducted to identify the jobs, starting salaries, and adequacy of the programs preparing those graduates in Guam. Information was gathered through survey forms mailed to 461 graduates and/or from the programs from which…

In January 1990, a follow-up study was conducted of students who completed or largely completed a career program at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) to determine their educational and employment status and the relationship of their job to their program of study. Telephone interviews were conducted with 215 of 523 former students who had…