Key Considerations for Evaluating Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs

Shaffer Evaluation Group partners with a wide range of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs supported by various grant initiatives, including the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), the Native American Career and Technical Education Program (NACTEP), and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

When designing an evaluation strategy for CTE programs, consider the following two key factors:

Capture the Full Range of Program Impact

Outcome measures should reflect both short-term achievements and long-term impacts. While traditional metrics like completion rates, graduation rates, and post-program plans are essential, they only tell part of the story. To gain a deeper understanding of program effectiveness, collect data throughout the program’s duration. This might include:

• Surveys that track changes in participants’ beliefs, attitudes, and dispositions

• Measures of academic performance and engagement

• Insights into future educational or career plans

• Enrollment in additional training, educational programs, or courses

These broader indicators provide a more complete picture of how the program shapes participants’ trajectories.

Account for Attrition in Your Evaluation Design

Attrition is a reality in many CTE programs, so it’s crucial to build evaluation measures that reflect progress, even when participants don’t complete the full program. Consider tracking the following:

• Milestones toward program completion

• Course-level completion rates (e.g., percentage of students who finish individual courses)

• Endorsement or certification attainment

These metrics can demonstrate early wins and incremental progress, offering valuable insights into program effectiveness even when full completion isn’t achieved.

Final Thoughts about Evaluating Career and Technical Education Programs

Effective evaluation of CTE programs requires a thoughtful and flexible approach that captures both the breadth and depth of program impact. By incorporating diverse outcome measures and planning for participant attrition, evaluators can build a more accurate and resilient picture of program success. Whether you're working with DoDEA, NACTEP, NSF, or other grant-funded initiatives, these strategies help ensure your evaluation reflects the real-world progress and potential of your CTE efforts.

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Shaffer Evaluation Group is committed to helping programs tell their story through meaningful data. With the right tools and insights, your evaluation can do more than meet reporting requirements—it can illuminate the transformative power of CTE. Contact us today for a free 30-minute consultation.