College 'or' Career Readiness? Postsecondary and Labor Market Outcomes for Ohio High School Students Earning Industry-Recognized Credentials
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| Title: | College 'or' Career Readiness? Postsecondary and Labor Market Outcomes for Ohio High School Students Earning Industry-Recognized Credentials |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Jay Plasman, Thomas B. Fordham Institute |
| Source: | Thomas B. Fordham Institute. 2026. |
| Availability: | Thomas B. Fordham Institute. 1701 K Street NW Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20006. Tel: 202-223-5452; Fax: 202-223-9226; e-mail: thegadfly@fordhaminstitute.org; Web site: https://fordhaminstitute.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 64 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | College Board Thomas B. Fordham Foundation |
| Intended Audience: | Policymakers |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Postsecondary Education High Schools Secondary Education Higher Education |
| Descriptors: | College Readiness, Career Readiness, Career and Technical Education, Outcomes of Education, Labor Market, Postsecondary Education, High School Students, Credentials, Graduation Requirements, Education Work Relationship, Wages, Salary Wage Differentials, Educational Attainment, Income |
| Geographic Terms: | Ohio |
| Abstract: | As part of Ohio's effort to modernize career-and-technical education, it has actively encouraged high school students to earn industry-recognized credentials. Today, students can use credentials to meet certain graduation requirements and schools receive credit on their state report cards when students attain them. This report examines the effects of earning a credential in high school on postsecondary education and labor market outcomes for the 1.3 million Ohio students who entered high school between the school years of 2011-12 and 2019-20. By exploring the labor market outcomes, it provides new evidence on longer-term (up to seven years beyond high school) effects of earning a credential. In addition to assessing the overall consequences of earning any type of credential, it explores the potential benefits of earning a credential designated as high-demand and high-wage under Ohio's recently authorized Innovative Workforce Incentive Program (IWIP). By analyzing data provided through the Ohio Longitudinal Data Archive, key findings show credential earning is positively associated with high school completion but negatively associated with college-going and attainment. In the labor market, however, the improved outcomes appear to favor credential earners and career and technical education (CTE) concentrators, at least for the first five years after high school, after which credential earners no longer see an income premium. Recommendations related to credential earning and CTE concentration in high school are provided for Ohio policymakers. |
| Abstractor: | ERIC |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | ED681210 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | As part of Ohio's effort to modernize career-and-technical education, it has actively encouraged high school students to earn industry-recognized credentials. Today, students can use credentials to meet certain graduation requirements and schools receive credit on their state report cards when students attain them. This report examines the effects of earning a credential in high school on postsecondary education and labor market outcomes for the 1.3 million Ohio students who entered high school between the school years of 2011-12 and 2019-20. By exploring the labor market outcomes, it provides new evidence on longer-term (up to seven years beyond high school) effects of earning a credential. In addition to assessing the overall consequences of earning any type of credential, it explores the potential benefits of earning a credential designated as high-demand and high-wage under Ohio's recently authorized Innovative Workforce Incentive Program (IWIP). By analyzing data provided through the Ohio Longitudinal Data Archive, key findings show credential earning is positively associated with high school completion but negatively associated with college-going and attainment. In the labor market, however, the improved outcomes appear to favor credential earners and career and technical education (CTE) concentrators, at least for the first five years after high school, after which credential earners no longer see an income premium. Recommendations related to credential earning and CTE concentration in high school are provided for Ohio policymakers. |
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