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At a glance

Vocational education can be academically rigorous and prepare kids for college.

States differ in how they offer vocational education.

Program requirements and the credentials students graduate with also vary by state.

Vocational education used to be thought of in a very narrow way. It was considered simply an alternative track for high-schoolers who weren't going on to college. Students often didn't graduate with a standard high school diploma. But career and technical education, as it's often called, has changed a lot in recent years.

In many states, these programs no longer limit the opportunities after high school. In fact, a high-quality program may expand your child's options. Students in a good program should be able to graduate from high school with a standard diploma so they can go to college if they choose.

Vocational education can be a good option to consider for some kids with learning and thinking differences. Here's what you need to know about these programs.

What vocational education is

Vocational education, or career and technical education, is exactly what it sounds like. Students learn skills that prepare them to work in a particular field after high school.

Vocational schools still offer training in trades like carpentry and culinary arts. But they also feature programs in fields like health care, technology, and graphic design. Most have advisory committees that help them focus on programs that have the most employment opportunities.

Good programs also include regular academic classes. That allows students to graduate with standard diplomas, and gives them the option of going on to two- and four-year colleges.

States differ in how they offer vocational education. There are three standard models:

Self-contained schools that are separate from the traditional high school.

Schools that operate in a separate wing within a traditional high school.

Programs where kids attend traditional high school in the morning and then take a bus to a technology and career center in their area.

Planning for vocational education

If your child has an IEP, you'll both meet with the IEP team in eighth grade for a transition planning meeting. That's a good time to discuss vocational education. (This is a good time to explore vocational education if your child doesn't have an IEP, too.)

Some states offer vocational education for all four years of high school. Others have two-year programs that begin junior year.

The school may raise the topic of vocational education if it seems like college might not be an option for your child. But if you think it might be a good path to explore regardless, you can bring it up yourself.

There are a few reasons you might want to consider vocational education for your child. One is if your child has a strong interest in an area of study that's offered. Another is if your child is highly motivated by hands-on learning that relates to the "real world."

Still, it's important to ask what happens if it turns out your child doesn't have the skills or the interest in that field.

How to spot a quality program

Career and technical education differs from state to state. That leads to a wide range in the quality of programs and what's expected of students. So it's important to make sure the program matches up with your child's goals. (Keep in mind that no matter where you live, IEP and 504 plan supports and services should stay in place in vocational education.)

Here are some things that occur in a quality vocational program:

Students graduate with a standard diploma. Programs should prepare teens for college. That means students should take all of the standardized tests and classes their district requires. Doing that makes them eligible for a standard (academic) diploma. Make sure this is the case in your state. Students may also be able to graduate with a certificate or license in their field of studyin addition to their diploma. Requirements for these vary by state.

Students can take foreign language classes. Most four-year colleges require two years of foreign language in high school. If your child is enrolled in vocational education, these classes should be built into his day.

Another thing to consider is how well graduates of the program do after high school. There are a number of questions to ask to find out how well the program prepares students for life after high school:

How do standardized test scores compare with those of the regular high school?

Can you share any statistics on job placement after graduation?

How many graduates go on to four-year colleges?

How many graduates go on to two-year colleges?

Can you tell me what kind of professional experience the teachers have?

Watch as an expert talks about choosing a vocational high school for your child.

Key takeaways

Vocational education may be a good option for students who like hands-on, "real world" learning.

In a quality vocational program, students take all standardized tests and classes their district requires. This makes them eligible for a standard diploma.

As part of your research, ask about job placement and what types of colleges the graduates attend.

About the author

About the author

Kate Kelly has been writing and editing for more than 20 years, with a focus on parenting.

Reviewed by

Reviewed by

Jim Rein, MA has lectured on postsecondary options and summer programs for kids and young adults with learning and thinking differences.

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Vocational education in high school: What you need to know

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Vocational education in high school can prepare students for high-quality jobs and for college. Learn how to spot a good vocational program for your child.

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Why Vocational Training is Critical in Special Education

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Discover why vocational training is critical in special education and how it empowers students with disabilities to take control of their own futures.

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DiMeo, S. (2022). Implementing the early skills vocational program in school-based occupational therapy practice. SIS Quarterly Practice Connections, 7(2), 2-4.

The goal of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) is to prepare children with disabilities for "further education, employment, and independent living." The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) recognizes that school-based occupational therapists are "key contributors" in transition teams, helping students transitioning from high school to gain skills for future employment, education, and independent living (AOTA, 2018).

About the Children & Youth Special Interest Section

The Children & Youth Special Interest Section (CYSIS) provides resources to support the practice, leadership, and advancement of practitioners serving youth, families, and teams in early intervention and school programs. It promotes the meaningful participation of youth and families in their everyday lives where they live, learn, and play.
Learn more about the CYSIS committee Join the CommunOT™ discussion

DiMeo, S. (2022). Implementing the early skills vocational program in school-based occupational therapy practice. SIS Quarterly Practice Connections, 7(2), 2-4.

The goal of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) is to prepare children with disabilities for "further education, employment, and independent living." The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) recognizes that school-based occupational therapists are "key contributors" in transition teams, helping students transitioning from high school to gain skills for future employment, education, and independent living (AOTA, 2018).

AOTA members get more. Join or sign in for access to this resource

Gain essential practice knowledge, grow throughout your career, and stay engaged in your profession. Select the membership option that's right for you.

Gain essential practice knowledge, grow throughout your career, and stay engaged in your profession. Select the membership option that's right for you.

SENSORY INTEGRATION & PROCESSING

Sensory Integration Processing

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Implementing the early skills vocational program in school-based occupational therapy practice | AOTA

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SIS Quarterly Practice Connections article about implementing the early skills vocational program in school-based occupational therapy practice

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For this activity student's are asked to define the term provided (addressing graphomotor skills, visual perceptual skills and motor planning). Each week students are given a different vocabulary word related to projects that are being worked on or related to the Custom Merchandising Program.

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For this activity student's are asked to read the email prompts provided and select one prompt to write a respond. You may also use the "Parts of an Email" worksheet to assist the student in identifying where to input the the information (Ex. sender info, subject line, body paragraph).

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What is the name of the material used to place the vinyl? This material can come in two different sizes: 12x12 or 12x24 (Hint: It comes in different colors like green, purple, pink and blue), This is a cutting machine that can cut a wide variety of materials for your craft projects like paper, vinyl, HTV (heat transfer vinyl) and cardstock., This is a hand tool with a roller that is used to press the materials onto the mat.