Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Education

Advisor

Kathleen Kingston

Abstract

The mission of high school career and technical education (CTE) programs is to prepare high school graduates for a career. This study provides insight into the educational practices that support students with the skills necessary for workplace success, as not all CTE program graduates are prepared for the workplace with industry-ready skills. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of CTE and business/industry leaders about which educational practices in CTE programs can support the preparation of students with industry-ready skills. The conceptual framework that guided this study was the 2018 ACTE Quality CTE Program of Study Framework and was used as a source to make logical connections between the data from the study and the emerging themes derived from the data analysis. The research questions addressed what educational practices support the preparation of students with industry-ready skills, and how they can be applied in CTE programs. The interviews of six CTE administrators and six business/industry leaders used in this study aimed to identify how CTE stakeholders make sense of what educational practices prepare students to be successful in the workplace. The thematic analysis of data verified the necessity of knowledgeable CTE instructors, curriculum designed based on current business/industry standards, and providing an opportunity for workplace experience to better understand the workplace prior to graduation. CTE programs will benefit from this study as it contributes to social change by identifying the educational practices that support CTE students with industry-ready skills, closing the identified gap between education and the workforce, and thereby helping the state stay competitive in the global market and economy.

Download

Included in

Education Commons

Share

 
COinS