The Hispanic population in the U.S. is growing at a rapid rate and Spanish has become a predominant language, which could pose problems if more students are enrolling in school with limited English proficiency. In 2010, the Texas FFA Association implemented the Spanish Creed speaking event in order to help Spanish-speaking FFA members realize the…

This qualitative study explores the efficacy of community college career and technical education programs through employer perspectives. Participants for this study were cultivated from a variety of industries and disciplines. Predominant themes that emerged from this study include education, authentic experience, the value of career and technical…

Schools across the country are facing a shortage of Career & Technical Education (CTE) teachers. Challenges regarding recruitment and retention of highly qualified teachers have far-reaching economic and educational implications. The literature notes multiple factors associated with CTE teacher attrition, such as low pay, absence of adequate…

The purpose of this study was to examine patterns in high school career and technical education (CTE) coursetaking by gender and race/ethnicity across two cohorts of students over time. Using high school transcript data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS:2002) and the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09), we examined…

Retaining qualified career and technical education teachers (CTE) is crucial to the continued supply and reduced demand of these types of teachers. Demographic data and emerging trends of CTE teachers were analyzed for those teachers who completed a summer workshop as part of alternative licensure. Some of the emerging trends included shifts in…

Leaders influence the lives of many and impact the success of a wide variety of organizations. Career and Technical Education (CTE) Administrative Directors provide leadership in CTE school settings as they lead and manage personnel, facilities, curriculum, and student services. This study sought to determine the essential leadership skills that…

The purpose of the study was to identify perceptions currently held among school counselors towards postsecondary career and technical education. Q methodology provides an opportunity to study individual's subjective reality using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Literature on CTE, the roles of counselors, and student outcomes were used…

This paper summarizes an exploratory study probing perspectives of pesticide applicators and educators regarding pesticide licensing and safety training in Idaho. The purpose of the study was to identify lines of inquiry concerning critical learning components for pesticide worker safety. Information was gathered about training practices for…

The edTPA, a validated teacher performance assessment, is being used across the nation to assess the readiness of career and technical education (CTE) student teachers for a successful career in education. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the relationship between edTPA and both Technology and Agricultural Education…

Previous research has indicated professional training and support, personal literacy preferences, and professional literacy attitudes have an influence on classroom literacy practices. Limited literacy related research has been conducted in agricultural education. This study sought to examine the influence of professional training and support,…

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that students who participated in mathematically-enhanced, high school career and technical education (CTE) curriculum would reflect a better understanding of basic math concepts. This hypothesis was based on the posit that learning may be more difficult to achieve outside of a contextual…

The purpose of this study was to compare the student engagement of career academy students to those at a traditional comprehensive high school. We operationalized student engagement using a multi-dimensional construct comprised of behavioral, cognitive, and emotional measures. Based on data from 669 career academy students and 614 comprehensive…

CTE has been identified as a critical need area and therefore retention of secondary CTE teachers is of great importance. This study explored turnover intentions and work-family conflict of CTE teachers in Oregon. Teachers reported higher work interference with family (WIF) than family interference with work (FIW), but also reported moderately low…

Further investigation is needed to determine the specific laboratory management needs of agricultural education teachers. The theoretical foundation which guided this study was Bandura's theory of self-efficacy (1997). To further align this theory with this study, researchers explored the beliefs and one's capabilities to organize and excute the…

The need to focus efforts on preserving the quality and quantity of Kansas' water supply is a widely accepted and growing trend. Addressing such a need will necessitate increased supply of professionals in related STEM fields. Drawing on the Human Capital Theory and the Theory of Work Adjustment, descriptive survey research and qualitative…