The Role of Career and Technical Education in Iowa Community Colleges

Abstract

This scholarly paper describes and analyzes the role of career and technical education (CTE) in Iowa community colleges. Iowa's community colleges are doing a good job of responding to the changing workforce needs of the state and providing smooth career pathways. However, changes in the population and economy of the state will call for further changes in CTE programs. The distinctive characteristics of CTE in Iowa community colleges, the impact of community college CTE programs on the state's economy, the role of accountability, and the future implications for CTE in the state are discussed. Recommendations based on the results of the study include improving articulation agreements, increasing retention among at-risk students, and increasing collaboration among Iowa's 15 community colleges.

Community college nursing and allied health education programs, and Iowa's healthcare workforce

“…In this study it was clear that the length of the credentialing program was proportional to the annual income of the completer. This is consistent with findings revealed in previous studies of community college graduate earnings (Kerchoff & Bell, 1998;Laanan et al, 2006a), and conforms with Becker's (1962) in areas designated as medically underserved was statistically significant and smaller than for their counterparts outside these areas.…”

“…however, these two-year public institutions provide career and technical training taxpayers realize an annual return of 9.5% on their investment in community colleges and the average student sees an additional $107 in wage increases yearly for each credit they complete (Laanan et al, 2006a). Factoring into this is the low cost of a college education received at a community college.…”

“…While the benefit of an investment in education has been studied in pure economic terms (Ayres, et al, 1996;Hlvana, 1992;Laanan et al, 2006a), human capital theory enables one to study this dynamic model from a variety of perspectives. Nonmarket compensation (Jorgenson, 2008) While studies have shown that community college graduates realize a 23%…”

Promotion of student engagement by online community college faculty

“…Community colleges serve a variety of students' education needs, including the provision of an affordable and flexible path toward a degree or technical career (Santos Laanan, Compton, & Friedel, 2006). Community colleges have embraced online education to meet the needs of large numbers of nontraditional students on career paths (Jaggars, Edgecombe, & Stacey, 2013).…”

Post-college earnings of Iowa community college career and technical education students: Analysis of selected career clusters

“…As students move through their high school experience many develop the aspiration of obtaining a four-year college degree. However, a growing number of high school students are seeking to enter higher education through a community college (Laanan, Compton, & Friedel, 2006a). These growing numbers of people who are choosing community colleges are doing so with less information regarding the benefit of the community college.…”