Investing in public education excellence is the path to thriving communities, a stable economy, and successful students. Yet Pennsylvania’s underfunded and decentralized K-12 career and technical education (CTE) and dual enrollment (in college as well as high school), and its Swiss cheese community colleges, undermine the Commonwealth’s economic potential and the future of its students.

Study after study shows that where states and public schools do it right, career-related learning boosts student outcomes. Specifically, the data show that students with greater exposure to CTE are more likely to graduate from high school, enroll in a two-year college, be employed, and earn higher wages.

Meeting the Demand for New Workers—Investing in Career Related Learning for High School Students is a report presented by Children First, Keystone Research Center and PA Budget Policy Center and PA Schools Work.