Importantly, these higher CTE graduation rates do not appear to be attributable to student characteristics alone. Mann-Whitney U tests showed no significant differences in 8th grade PSSA scores or attendance between CTE and non-CTE students. Furthermore, a logistic regression analysis showed that among neighborhood, citywide, and special admit schools with CTE programs, CTE students are more than twice as likely to graduate than non-CTE students, holding constant student demographics, 8th grade PSSA scores, 9th grade attendance, major subject grades, and suspensions.

Career and Technical Education (CTE): Evaluating Student Outcomes

Contact InformationKatherine Stratos, M.S.Senior Research AssociateSDP Office of Research and Evaluation(p): 215-400-5396 (e): kstratos@philasd.org

Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity

Contributors and Stakeholders

PA Department of Education and Bureau of Career and Technical Education

PA Association of Career and Technical Administrators

Temple University PA Association of Career and Technical Administrators

PA Association of Career and Technical Administrators

Industry Advisory Committee

Philadelphia Council for College and Career Success

Business, industry, and community stakeholders in each program

School District financial investment

Program and Evaluation Staff

Furthermore, there is little to no “achievement gap” among CTE students in terms of graduation rates for students of different racial/ethnic backgrounds.

Graduation Rates

Project OverviewThe mission of the School District of Philadelphia’s (SDP) Career and Technical Education (CTE) office is to deliver high quality CTE programs that provide students with the opportunity to acquire the appropriate academic and technical skills to be prepared for the high-skill, high-wage, and high-priority occupations of a competitive 21st century global economy. SDP’s Five-Year Strategic Plan for Career and Technical Education aligns with the broader District goal of improving academic outcomes for students in all public and charter schools, and aims to “improve the quality, access and equity for Career and Technical Education Programs and Career Academies across the entire district.” This research study looks at student outcomes for the District’s 2010-2011 first time 9 th grade cohort. The evaluation seeks to explore differences in graduation rates between CTE and non-CTE students, as well as if those outcomes can be attributed to differences between CTE and non-CTE students, or if CTE programming does in fact increase the chances of on-time graduation over and above student characteristics.

Student Level OutcomesThe 2010-2011 first time 9th grade cohort’s CTE students graduated at a significantly higher rate than its non-CTE students (84% versus 62% four-year graduation rate).

Implementation ActivitiesThrough its CTE office, SDP offers 111 CTE programs in 37 occupational areas. These programs are offered in 28 high schools across the District, 5 of which are comprehensive CTE schools, and are organized as part of 10 Career Clusters in order to provide students with relevant contexts for studying and learning. Each Career Cluster represents a distinct grouping of occupations and industries based on the knowledge and skills they require. The School District of Philadelphia’s state-approved CTE programs are typically three-year programs of study that provide 1,080 hours of instruction and afford students the opportunity to earn recognized industry certifications. Programs typically begin in grade 10 and continue through grade 12. Predicting Graduation