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The Value of Alignment: How Do Industry-Based Certifications Impact Texas High School Graduates Entering the Workforce? Policy Brief No. 1

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Title: The Value of Alignment: How Do Industry-Based Certifications Impact Texas High School Graduates Entering the Workforce? Policy Brief No. 1
Language: English
Authors: J. Jacob Kirksey, Jennifer Freeman, Braden Re, Rachel Martin, Angela R. Crevar, Texas Tech University (TTU), Center for Innovative Research in Change, Leadership, and Education (CIRCLE)
Source: Center for Innovative Research in Change, Leadership, and Education. 2025.
Availability: Center for Innovative Research in Change, Leadership, and Education. Texas Tech University, College of Education, 3002 18th Street, Room 168, Lubbock, TX 79409. Tel: 806-834-2923; e-mail: circle.educ@ttu.edu; Web site: https://hdl.handle.net/2346/88837
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 6
Publication Date: 2025
Sponsoring Agency: Walton Family Foundation
Document Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools
Secondary Education
Descriptors: High School Graduates, Entry Workers, Industry, Certification, Career and Technical Education, Education Work Relationship, Alignment (Education), Labor Market, Labor Demands, Wages, Credentials, Accountability
Geographic Terms: Texas
Abstract: This study examines whether the economic benefits of Industry-Based Certifications (IBCs) in Texas depend on alignment to students' Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs of study and regional labor market demand. Using statewide longitudinal data on high school graduates who entered the workforce directly, we find that IBCs are associated with modest wage gains, but alignment is key: students whose credentials match both their coursework and local demand earn significantly more and are more likely to obtain postsecondary credentials in high-demand fields. In contrast, misaligned IBCs yield lower earnings and no difference in likelihood of obtaining additional postsecondary education. These findings highlight the importance of refining accountability systems to reflect the true value of aligned career pathways.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED679056
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
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  Data: The Value of Alignment: How Do Industry-Based Certifications Impact Texas High School Graduates Entering the Workforce? Policy Brief No. 1
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22J%2E+Jacob+Kirksey%22">J. Jacob Kirksey</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jennifer+Freeman%22">Jennifer Freeman</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Braden+Re%22">Braden Re</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rachel+Martin%22">Rachel Martin</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Angela+R%2E+Crevar%22">Angela R. Crevar</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Texas+Tech+University+%28TTU%29%2C+Center+for+Innovative+Research+in+Change%2C+Leadership%2C+and+Education+%28CIRCLE%29%22">Texas Tech University (TTU), Center for Innovative Research in Change, Leadership, and Education (CIRCLE)</searchLink>
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  Data: Center for Innovative Research in Change, Leadership, and Education. Texas Tech University, College of Education, 3002 18th Street, Room 168, Lubbock, TX 79409. Tel: 806-834-2923; e-mail: circle.educ@ttu.edu; Web site: https://hdl.handle.net/2346/88837
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  Data: 6
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: Walton Family Foundation
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  Data: Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22High+Schools%22">High Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22High+School+Graduates%22">High School Graduates</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Entry+Workers%22">Entry Workers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Industry%22">Industry</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Certification%22">Certification</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Career+and+Technical+Education%22">Career and Technical Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Education+Work+Relationship%22">Education Work Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Alignment+%28Education%29%22">Alignment (Education)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Labor+Market%22">Labor Market</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Labor+Demands%22">Labor Demands</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Wages%22">Wages</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Credentials%22">Credentials</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Accountability%22">Accountability</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Texas%22">Texas</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study examines whether the economic benefits of Industry-Based Certifications (IBCs) in Texas depend on alignment to students' Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs of study and regional labor market demand. Using statewide longitudinal data on high school graduates who entered the workforce directly, we find that IBCs are associated with modest wage gains, but alignment is key: students whose credentials match both their coursework and local demand earn significantly more and are more likely to obtain postsecondary credentials in high-demand fields. In contrast, misaligned IBCs yield lower earnings and no difference in likelihood of obtaining additional postsecondary education. These findings highlight the importance of refining accountability systems to reflect the true value of aligned career pathways.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: ED679056
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=ED679056
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 6
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: High School Graduates
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Entry Workers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Industry
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Certification
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      – SubjectFull: Career and Technical Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Education Work Relationship
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      – SubjectFull: Alignment (Education)
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      – SubjectFull: Labor Market
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      – SubjectFull: Labor Demands
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      – SubjectFull: Wages
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      – SubjectFull: Credentials
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      – SubjectFull: Accountability
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      – SubjectFull: Texas
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      – TitleFull: The Value of Alignment: How Do Industry-Based Certifications Impact Texas High School Graduates Entering the Workforce? Policy Brief No. 1
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