Date of Award

6-2019

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

Department

Education

First Reader/Committee Chair

Hughes, Andrew

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the perception influenced by phenomena impacting core-subject teacher perceptions of career technical education (CTE). Studies show that CTE is highly successful at preparing California’s students for college and career (Friedman, 2006). However, some educators see “CTE maintain less value in helping to encourage student success” (Shanklin, 2014, p. 3). The phenomenological study examined the perception influencing lived experiences with focus groups and one-on-one interviews. Core-subject teachers participated in these face-to-face interviews. Findings show that core-subject teachers are biased against CTE. Analysis of the survey results determined perception influenced by phenomena experienced by core-subject instructors included perfectionistic characteristics among parents, a society obsessed with outdoing the other person and very little evidence of educational reforms. The study asked questions to raise the teachers’ perceptions of the rigor and relevance in CTE, to identify support that teachers give students applying to CTE instead of college, and how do teachers support the integrated curriculum. Future results will see educational leaders and teachers improve the perception of CTE using new training. A policy change would allow English Language Learners exiting an English Language Development centered schedule on being eligible for CTE at any age. Essential to the future of CTE are (1) lengthening the school day to accommodate a more diversified schedule and (2) eliminating the requirement to stay in one industry sector for up to four years.

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