Racial and ethnic equity gaps in postsecondary career and technical education: considerations for online learning

High-quality career and technical education [CTE] programs offered by community and technical colleges can offer students a path to well-paying careers. Many of these programs shifted online because of the coronavirus [Coronavirus Disease 2019] pandemic, and many will remain online. Structural racism and other systemic inequalities can limit access to and success in online career and technical education programs for students of color, especially Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students. This brief describes equity gaps for students of color in CTE programs and offers a framework for...  [+] Show more

High-quality career and technical education [CTE] programs offered by community and technical colleges can offer students a path to well-paying careers. Many of these programs shifted online because of the coronavirus [Coronavirus Disease 2019] pandemic, and many will remain online. Structural racism and other systemic inequalities can limit access to and success in online career and technical education programs for students of color, especially Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students. This brief describes equity gaps for students of color in CTE programs and offers a framework for improving outcomes at the course, program, and institutional levels. Infusing equity consciousness, disaggregating and examining data, and considering student technology access and instructor preparation to promote success in online learning are some important strategies for creating better opportunities for success.

Published abstract.