Vocational education has come a long way since its emphasis on shop classes and cosmetology.

While career and technical education, or CTE, may have historically been maligned as a “dead end,” a new study based on students in Arkansas shows students who took more CTE classes were slightly more likely to finish high school, attend a two-year college and earn a little more money than those who don’t.

The Hour (Erik Hines, as faculty director of the initiative, is quoted)

Broadway World (James Kaufman mentioned as upcoming podcast guest)

Playbill (James Kaufman mentioned as upcoming podcast guest)

EducationNext (Shaun Dougherty’s recent Fordham Institute report on CTE cited)

Fox 61 (Renzulli Academy, founded by Joseph Renzulli, is featured in this segment)

The report, published April 7 by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, found that students who “concentrated”—took three related courses focused on one industry—were 21 percentage points more likely to graduate from high school in four years than their peers who did not, and were just as likely to go to a four-year college.

A new study on career and technical education has found that CTE is highly beneficial for students, especially for some of those who need it the most.

CTE Policy Watch Blog (Shaun Dougherty’s report is covered)