Career & Technical Education

Title IX is the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in schools that receive federal funding. Title IX requires that girls and boys be given equal opportunities in career and technical education programs like construction and engineering, fields that are traditionally male-dominated. These nontraditional careers tend to offer better pay and more benefits than traditionally female fields. We're working to remove barriers that women and girls face in education and job training for nontraditional careers.

Highlights

Fact Sheet | The Next Generation of Title IX: STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

June 13, 2012

Since 1972, Title IX has opened the doors for women to pursue many fields, but in STEM women remain underrepresented in classes and fields that are pathways to high wage careers. This fact sheet discusses Title IX's impact on women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and recommends ways that schools and the government can move forward policies in pursuit of Title IX's goals.

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Reports & Toolkits | Education Data Show Gender Gap in Career Preparation

April 3, 2013

This report, which examines the gender gap in career and technical education to prepare women for jobs in these fields, was prepared as a summary of an analysis by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity, the National Women’s Law Center, and Wider Opportunities for Women, under the auspices of the National Coalition of Women and Girls in Education and the National Coalition on Women, Jobs and Job Training.

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Fact Sheet | How to Promote Gender Equity in Career and Technical Education: A Primer for Schools

October 15, 2007

Girls are dropping out of school at alarming rates, and studies show that schools can be successful in reducing their dropout rates where they offer CTE programs and make the link between academic work, college success, and careers. Schools that want to reduce their dropout rates must ensure that girls have equal access to career and technical education (“CTE”) classes that provide training for high-skill, high-wage jobs.

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Fact Sheet | Predominantly Female Occupations Pay Lower Wages Than Predominantly Male Occupations

March 22, 2012

The wage gap between men and women exists both within and across numerous occupations throughout the American workforce.  This chart compares the median hourly earnings of workers in a few sample male-dominated and female-dominated fields. How much more do you think the average plumber makes than the average childcare worker?

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More Resources

Fact Sheet | National Patterns of Sex Segregation in Selected Vocational and Technical Courses Based on Data in 12 Regions

June 09, 2006
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Fact Sheet | Career & Technical Education Resources

January 05, 2006

Career and Technical Education

Resources

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law barring sex discrimination in education programs, including career and technical education programs such as vocational training, internships, and apprenticeship programs. Title IX requires schools and colleges receiving federal funds to give women and girls an equal chance to succeed in career and technical education and to treat female students equally when it comes to recruiting, counseling and treatment in the classroom. Read more...

Fact Sheet | Career and Technical Education: Petitions for Compliance Reviews

January 05, 2006

Career and Technical Education

Petitions for Compliance Reviews

The National Women's Law Center is committed to ending sex discrimination in career and technical education programs. For the 30th anniversary of Title IX, in 2002, the Center petitioned the Department of Education to perform compliance reviews of CTE programs in selected states to identify systemic barriers that limit young women's access to CTE programs that are nontraditional for their gender. Read more...

Fact Sheet | Career and Technical Education: Programs and Practices that Work: Preparing Students for Nontraditional Careers

January 05, 2006

The National Women's Law Center is pleased to announce, in partnership with the Association for Career and Technical Education, the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity, and the National Association of State Directors of Career and Technical Education, the Programs and Practices That Work recognition project.

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Fact Sheet | Programs and Practices That Work: Materials From Past Years

January 05, 2006

Career and Technical Education

Programs and Practices that Work:

Materials from Past Years

2007

2006

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