| Title: |
Career and Technical Education: A Primer. CRS Report R47166, Version 5. Updated |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Cassandria Dortch; Rebecca R. Skinner; Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service (CRS) |
| Source: |
Congressional Research Service. 2026. |
| Availability: |
Congressional Research Service. Web site: https://crsreports.congress.gov/ |
| Peer Reviewed: |
N |
| Page Count: |
29 |
| Publication Date: |
2026 |
| Intended Audience: |
Policymakers |
| Document Type: |
Reports - Descriptive |
| Education Level: |
Secondary Education; Postsecondary Education; Higher Education |
| Descriptors: |
Career and Technical Education; Secondary Education; Postsecondary Education; Occupational Clusters; Federal Government; Federal Aid; Career Pathways; Enrollment; Access to Education; Teacher Shortage; Career and Technical Education Teachers; Educational Benefits; Education Work Relationship; Employment; Wages; For Profit Colleges; Public Colleges; Student Organizations; Credentials; Educational Legislation; Federal Legislation; Land Grant Universities; Agricultural Education; Labor Force Development; Job Training |
| Geographic Terms: |
Arkansas; Connecticut; Indiana; Minnesota; North Carolina |
| Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: |
Morrill Act 1862; Smith Hughes Act; Manpower Development and Training Act; Vocational Education Act 1963; Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act 2018 |
| Abstract: |
To better align both secondary and postsecondary education with the nation's economic and workforce needs, the federal government provides funding to states, institutions of higher education (IHEs), and local educational agencies (LEAs) to support career and technical education (CTE). CTE, sometimes referred to as vocational education, provides occupational preparation at the secondary and postsecondary levels. A CTE program of study is often designed to have an immediate practical application in the workforce while also developing broadly applicable skills such as writing and effective communication. This report provides an overview of CTE, beginning with a discussion of the history of federal support, CTE as defined at the secondary and postsecondary levels, and the most recent enrollment and completion data. The second half of the report discusses challenges with CTE program implementation and access, strategies and resources that have been used to address these challenges, and outcomes associated with participating in and completing CTE programs of study. The Appendix provides additional information on the specifics of career clusters and programs of study referenced throughout the report. |
| Abstractor: |
ERIC |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
ED678588 |
| Database: |
ERIC |