This descriptive study, led by the Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest in partnership with state agencies, examined whether high school graduates in Indiana and Minnesota who completed a large number of career and technical education courses in a single career-oriented program of study (concentrators) had different college and workforce outcomes from graduates who completed fewer (samplers) or no career and technical education courses. The study found that male graduates were more likely to be concentrators than female graduates and that graduates who received special education services were more likely to be concentrators than those who did not receive these services. Finally, compared with similar samplers and nonparticipants, concentrators were employed at higher rates and had higher earnings during the first five years after high school.

What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) study rating. This study used a quasi-experimental design and meets WWC standards with reservations. Access the full study review in the WWC’s review of individual studies database.