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Vocational Education

Postsecondary Education

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If College Isn't the Pathway to the Middle Class It Once Was—What Is?
Is college still the best path to the middle class? It's complicated. College credentials still do lead many to increased earnings, but the rapid increases in college costs, coupled with a strong labor market, have made the payoff for a college degree no longer a sure thing.
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Apr 5, 2022
Fortune
Lindsay Daugherty

Workforce Development

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Job Training Is More Effective When Educators, Government, and Industry Work Together
The United States is facing economic gaps wider than have been seen in a century. To keep the nation economically strong and able to provide citizens with middle-class lifestyles, educators, government, and private industry need to work together to shape training opportunities.
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Jul 6, 2021
The RAND Blog
Matthew D. Baird, Shelly Culbertson @SC_Culbertson
Workforce Development

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How Work-Based Learning Can Bring Employers and Students Together
Work-based learning experiences help college grads better prepare for work. WBL programs often serve as a workforce pipeline for companies. WBL is also successful at the K–12 level and at
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Jul 24, 2019
The RAND Blog
Monica Mean, Gabriella C. Gonzalez
Prison Reform

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The Pendulum Swings Back: Support for Postsecondary Education in Prison
Correctional educational programs can reduce incarceration costs and recidivism. But it's critical that former inmates can connect with reentry services in the community to complete their education.
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Dec 15, 2016
The RAND Blog
Lois M. Davis @LoisMDavis
Technical Professions

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To Increase Diversity in Tech, We Need to Rethink What 'Tech' Is
Rethinking what defines today's tech jobs, along with greater investment in public-private partnerships, could go a long way toward bridging the diversity gap.
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Nov 17, 2016
The Hill
Diana Gehlhaus
Vocational Education

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Getting Technical: Preparing High School Students for the Workforce America Needs
Fields such as computers, engineering, and health care are expected to grow. Employers and policymakers have a vested interest in ensuring that America's high schoolers are ready to meet future employment needs. Access to high-quality career and technical education programs is key.
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Aug 25, 2016
The Hill
Gabriella C. Gonzalez, Robert Bozick
Vocational Education

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Building a Sound Technical and Vocational Education and Training System
Technical and vocational education and training in India has expanded significantly over the past two decades. But quality and relevance remain significant issues. What may be learned from other countries' experiences?
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Dec 31, 2014
EduTech Magazine
Louay Constant, Cathy Stasz, et al.
STEM Education

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Instead of Promoting STEM Education Indiscriminately, Try This
With all the evidence demonstrating the importance of STEM education for success in the 21st century, well-intentioned policymakers may be tempted to indiscriminately promote all STEM curricula, across all levels of education. But unpacking what STEM really means reveals the need for a more nuanced approach.
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Mar 31, 2014
The RAND Blog
Rafiq Dossani
Mathematics

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The Limits of Career and Technical Education in Improving Math Achievement among High School Students
Students who had taken occupationally focused career and technical education (CTE) courses in addition to their regular academic courses had similar learning gains to those who had only taken academic courses: an academic curriculum that includes CTE courses neither bolstered nor curtailed the acquisition of math skills.
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Jun 19, 2013
Policy Analysis for California Education
Robert Bozick