Date of Award

Fall 12-2015

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Organizational Leadership

First Advisor

Philip Pendley, EdD

Second Advisor

Patrick Ainsworth, EdD

Third Advisor

LaFaye McFarland Platter, EdD

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the barriers to building secondary career technical education (CTE) capacity and the best means of overcoming those barriers from the perspective of the California regional occupational centers and programs (ROCPs). Methodology: Using a Delphi method, a panel of 15 CTE experts provided input through 4 rounds of anonymous electronic surveys. Conclusions: Utilizing the resources within the state’s ROCP system helped to identify barriers not addressed in the current literature or research. The impact of funding fluctuations, the limitations of the traditional school schedule, and the need to be innovative in recruiting industry experts into the classroom were unique barriers identified in this study. Recommendations: Recommendations made by the panel to address the top 5 identified barriers demonstrated innovative approaches. Examples included an employee exchange program, legislation to guarantee minimum CTE funding limits, creating a CTE stakeholder group to advise the state, and the inclusion of CTE content in PPS programs. Participants also suggested a state-driven marketing campaign to promote the value of CTE on the state’s economy and elevate the image of CTE to the public. Collecting the opinions of these CTE experts to identify and address the barriers of building CTE capacity demonstrated how the resources within the ROCP system could be used to support the state’s efforts to improve the educational attainment and workforce development of its youth.

Download

Share

COinS