Racial/Ethnic and Gender Equity Patterns in Illinois High School Career and Technical Education Coursework

Asia Fuller Hamilton, Joel Malin, Donald Hackmann
2015 Journal of Career and Technical Education  
This study analyzed high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) enrollments in Illinois, with comparisons to national data when possible, by career cluster and pathway and with respect to gender and racial/ethnic makeup of students. Enrollment patterns in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) CTE programming were emphasized. Gender and ethnicitybased inequities were found in certain areas and more equitable patterns were apparent in others. Of concern, student enrollment in
more » ... ses fitting within STEM pathways included substantially greater male than female participation (64.1% male vs. 35.9% female), whereas other pathways showed the reverse enrollment pattern (45.0% male and 55.0% female). With respect to ethnicity, all subgroups except White students were underrepresented in CTE programming in general. The underrepresentation was exacerbated for all but Asian students when concerning STEM CTE programming. Considering implications, we recommend heightened focus, support, and goal setting concerning equity of CTE programming.
doi:10.21061/jcte.v30i1.712 fatcat:gzq3aovqwzdiznzxdty4757b4i