Perceptions of career technical education by middle school and high school counselors and the effect of these perceptions on student choice of career and education planning

The purpose of this study was to determine the perceptions of Career Technical Education (CTE) by middle school and high school counselors and the effect the perceptions could have on students' choices in career and education planning. School counselors in both middle school and high school should have significant input in the decisions students make about the paths of study chosen to follow in high school. Students and parents need information and guidance in order to make informed choices about career choices available. Therefore, this study sought to answer five questions regarding identifiable perceptions, predictive relationships based on geographical criteria, difference in perceptions of middle school and high school counselors, qualifications of CTE teachers expected by school counselors, and time for career counseling of students by school counselors. An e-mail was sent to all middle school and high school counselors in Tennessee with a CTE program in their high school asking them to participate in an electronic survey consisting of 37 statements regarding CTE and career counseling. Based on the findings of this study, CTE was perceived positively by both groups, and the need for career awareness should begin in a student's early years before high school. Also, there was no relationship between perception of CTE and geographical criteria. However, there was a difference in perceptions of CTE by middle school and high school counselors. Both middle school and high school counselors felt that CTE teachers should have knowledge, skill, and a teaching license. School counselors that participated felt they did not have enough time to provide career counseling to students. Being informed and ready to choose a career focus area in a student's freshmen year could help make the transition from middle school to high school easier for that student and thus help prevent the student from dropping out of school before graduation.