The Efficacy of Career Education, Academic Achievement.

Overview & Synopsis

The paper reviewed current evaluative studies of career education programs across the nation concerning the interrelationship of career education and academic achievement. Information sources included: ERIC, Washington, D.C. Offices of Development Associates, Inc., National Institute of Education, Office of Career Education, Office of Vocational Technical Education, participants of Office of Education 1974 career education miniconferences, State coordinators of career education, and various project directors and school administrators. Career education program data produced in the McKeesport, Pennsylvania Schools correlated good work habits with academic success (planning activities increasing 14%, implementation activities 16%, and nonproductive activities decreasing 38%). Assessment of many programs included information concerning improved self-concept or self-esteem of students; related research has indicated self-concept to be a major contributor to achievement and a construct distinct from ability. Seventy-seven percent of the teachers in the Sacramento Unified School District indicated that career education greatly increased pupil motivation for class work. Similar support was given by teachers in many locations. Further followup studies concerning career education and academic achievement are recommended. An eight-page bibliography is included. (Author/EA)