A significant amount of research exists on career and technical education (CTE), but the vast majority of it is descriptive or correlational. Only recently is the field seeing a number of new experimental and quasi-experimental studies. While these recent developments are positive, many questions remain about approaches to measuring exposure to CTE and outcomes, since CTE programs vary widely. In addition, there is much room for improvement in the state longitudinal data systems that many researchers rely upon.

This CTE Research Network symposium, presented virtually at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2021 Annual Meeting, discusses three network papers that address these topics and suggest avenues for more high-quality CTE research in the future. Four presentations are available:

• Introduction, Kathy Hughes, Principal Researcher, American Institutes for Research; Principal Investigator, CTE Research Network
• Improving Measurement in Career and Technical Education to Support Rigorous Research, Shaun M. Dougherty, Associate Professor of Public Policy & Education, Vanderbilt University
• Harnessing State Longitudinal Data Systems to Assess CTE Outcomes, Steve Klein, Director, Career Education and Workforce Development, Education Northwest
• Understanding the Counterfactual for Program Evaluation of Career and Technical Education, Stephen Ross, Professor, Economics Department, University of Connecticut

Dr. James Kemple, Executive Director, Research Alliance for New York City Schools at New York University, served as the discussant for the symposium.