Examining Hispanic students’ participation in postsecondary technical programs in the United States

The theme for this year’s conference was ‘Vocational education and training systems, what works and why’ and the program was structured around four topics: VET systems; VET in developing countries; VET and economic and social development; and VET and special needs groups. This paper was part of the fourth topic and presents the results of a research study. The purpose of this study was to investigate Hispanic students’ participation in postsecondary technical programs in community colleges and two-year proprietary institutions in the United States based on their career development path in secondary schools. This paper describes results of the National Educational Longitudinal Study: 1988-94 survey data from the second follow-up in 1992 and the third follow-up in 1994. The data analyses were based on three research questions: (a) What are the technical/occupational programs in which Hispanic students in the United States choose to enrol? (b) What are the educational background factors for Hispanics pursuing postsecondary education? and (c) What relationship exists between selected independent variables and the dependent variable which examines the selection of a technical or occupational career program over other higher education programs? According to the researchers, implications of this study should contribute to the body of knowledge pertaining to the education of Hispanics. Moreover, this study should set the stage for further research on the importance of consistent career development for Hispanics throughout their educational life as well as provide educational policy makers with information needed to make future educational changes. The Hispanic presence and graduation rate in today’s institutions of higher education has improved but is in no way keeping pace with the Hispanic American presence in the United States. The percentage of Hispanics that actually receive degrees is very small and has remained relatively flat since the 1980’s. The researchers believe that college attendance and graduation rates are directly affected by low educational attainment of the Hispanic population as a whole and the high percentage of dropouts as a result of an educational system that does not promote excellence in an entire group of people.

Extract from published abstract with additional information reprinted by permission of the copyright owner.

The main entry for the IVETA 2001 conference is at TD/TNC 68.302. Individual papers presented at the conference are listed by topic from TD/TNC 68.303 to TD/TNC 68.306. Selected papers (including keynote speeches) are indexed from TD/TNC 68.307 to TD/TNC 68.384. Show less