Exploring Perceptions of Career Growth and Employability Skills Outcomes of Career and Technical Education Program Concentrators and Completers
| dc.contributor.advisor | Alexander, Karen L | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Miller, Cynthia | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Schmitt, Melanie | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Roberson, Kyle L | |
| dc.creator | Molina, Jamie Lee | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-09-05T16:00:30Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-09-05T16:00:30Z | |
| dc.date.created | 2024-05 | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-05 | |
| dc.date.submitted | May 2024 | |
| dc.date.updated | 2024-09-05T16:00:30Z | |
| dc.description.abstract | Career and Technical Education (CTE) is often misconstrued as a track pursued solely by non-college-bound learners, perpetuating a stigmatization of CTE courses among those unaware of the expansive opportunities they offer. This misperception can deter Local Education Agencies (LEAs) from offering programs that cater to the diverse needs of all students, and it may also discourage parents from encouraging their children to explore CTE. Commissioned by Advance CTE, focus groups have unveiled a different reality, showing that CTE benefits both students and parents. CTE participants expressed higher satisfaction with their education and better preparation for college and careers. However, there remains an awareness gap regarding the structure and delivery of CTE programs. This study investigated the experiences of high school CTE Concentrators and Completers and the influence of CTE Programs of Study on their post-graduation career paths. This research assessed CTE graduates' perceptions of their preparedness in several key areas, including the subject matter curriculum, involvement in career and technical student organizations (CTSOs), access to facilities and technology, and work-based learning opportunities. Furthermore, the study examined the impact of employability skills development on career advancement and postsecondary program attainment, aligning with the Employability Skills Framework (ESF) developed by the U.S. Department of Education. The ESF encompasses social and emotional learning (SEL) skills, self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making (Perkins Collaborative Resource Network, 2023). This study focused on Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) 5, viii Texas Tech University, Jamie Molina, May 2024 which emphasizes these areas and their importance in personal and collective goal achievement. This research contributed to a deeper understanding of how high school CTE Programs of Study shape career trajectories and the perception of their impact. It also offered a cross-cultural perspective by analyzing the perceptions of a Hispanic subpopulation, shedding light on how the cultural context influences these views. Furthermore, this study focused on a subpopulation of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Programs of Study Concentrators and Completers, examining their perspectives on career growth and employability skills outcomes. Ultimately, the findings of this study will be shared with Texas administrators, school counselors, CTE educators, and parents to raise awareness of the broad benefits of CTE for all students and their role in preparing them for immediate careers after high school. This research aims to help LEAs recognize the integration of employability skills within the CTE curriculum, highlighting the significance of these skills for students' future success. | |
| dc.description.abstract | Embargo status: Restricted until 06/2027. To request the author grant access, click on the PDF link to the left. | |
| dc.format.mimetype | application/pdf | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/2346/99554 | |
| dc.language.iso | English | |
| dc.title | Exploring Perceptions of Career Growth and Employability Skills Outcomes of Career and Technical Education Program Concentrators and Completers | |
| dc.type | Thesis | |
| dc.type.material | text | |
| local.embargo.lift | 2027-05-01 | |
| local.embargo.terms | 2027-05-01 | |
| thesis.degree.college | College of Human Sciences | |
| thesis.degree.department | Family and Consumer Sciences Education | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Family and Consumer Sciences Education | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | Texas Tech University | |
| thesis.degree.name | Doctor of Philosophy | |
| thesis.degree.school | Texas Tech University |