Measuring the Effectiveness of a Career Academy Program from an Employer’s Perspective

Abstract

Using data collected from 254 participants, I examined the effectiveness of a career academy program. Previous research on adolescent school-to-work transition programs has measured effectiveness using academic outcomes such as grades, graduation rates, and high school credits earned. This study measures the effectiveness of an academy program using outcomes relevant to employers, that is, job performance and work attendance. School outcomes of grades and attendance were found to have a direct effect on postsecondary work outcomes of performance and attendance. Results indicated that the program's positive effect on high school attendance had a positive impact on work attendance. Implications for public policy, business, and the academic communities are discussed.

Who Participates in High School Career Academies?

“…For many students, career academies have been found to be effective in improving student performance in high school as well as preparing students for the next level which in most cases is some form of post-secondary education (Fletcher & Cox, 2012;Linnehan, 1996;Maxwell & Rubin, 1997, 2000Stern, et al, 2000). There should be a clear alignment between the demographics of the students enrolled in career academies and the communities in which their families live and work.…”