07/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/29/2024 09:09
Report: Inequities in CTE Access in Washtenaw County
Significant inequalities in career and technical education access have been found across Washtenaw County school districts, according to a report by the Youth Policy Lab at the University of Michigan.
The analysis, titled "Inequities in CTE Access in Washtenaw County," scrutinizes the availability of career and technical education programs and underscores the difficulties economically disadvantaged students and students of color face in accessing these vital educational opportunities.
[Link]Brian A. Jacob"Access to career and technical education in Washtenaw County is limited. Compared with state averages, students here have access to fewer programs," said lead author Brian Jacob, the Walter H. Annenberg Professor of Education Policy at U-M.
Key Findings:
The report provides insights into the unique CTE landscape of Washtenaw County. Unlike many other communities in Michigan, Washtenaw County does not fund its CTE programs through a countywide millage. Instead, local districts either operate programs independently or collaborate through consortium-based agreements, leading to sharp divisions in student access.
Data for the study was primarily drawn from the 2017-18 academic year and supplemented with additional figures from the 2022-23 academic year to provide updated context. Although overall CTE program access has improved since 2017-18, significant disparities remain, Jacob says.
Proposed strategies:
The report suggests that any solutions should focus on increasing both access and enrollment, particularly for underserved populations. Additionally, aligning CTE offerings with high-demand, high-wage occupations in the region is crucial for maximizing economic benefits for students.
The report also emphasizes that access to training for jobs with the highest labor market demand and earning potential is highly segregated across the county.
"To the extent that participation in a CTE program might make it more likely that a student will secure a job in that field, these results suggest that the distribution of CTE programming in Washtenaw County serves as a barrier to equitable economic opportunity," Jacob said.
Washtenaw ISD is currently planning a series of working groups to gather input from community members as they design an ideal countywide CTE system. If you are interested in participating in these discussions, contact WISD CTE Director Ryan Rowe at [email protected].
The Youth Policy Lab at the University of Michigan conducts applied research in collaboration with policymakers and practitioners to enhance outcomes for Michigan youth. This report is part of their ongoing efforts to provide data-driven insights that inform public policy decisions.