Graduates’ Perceptions on the Reasons for the Enrollment Uptrends of Vocational- Technical Education: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study
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Authors
Girard, Sybil
Issue Date
2025-04
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The problem addressed in this qualitative phenomenological study is that, due to increased demand for county-run vocational-technical high schools in New Jersey, there are limited enrollment opportunities in these schools. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of County X Vocational (a pseudonym) graduates with regard to their perceived reasons for the increased demand for enrollment and how they perceive that enrollment opportunities can be increased at County X Vocational. This study was grounded in Steuart’s law of supply and demand, because there is an increased number of students (high demand) desiring to attend vo-tech high school (the service), resulting in limited county-run vo-tech enrollment opportunities (low supply). A qualitative phenomenological research design was used, where data were collected via semi-structured, in-depth interviews from a purposive sampling of 11 graduates. One central question and two sub-questions guided the study. Data were transcribed and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and In-Vivo coding, followed by interpretation using thick written descriptions to explain the findings. The results indicated that by strategically creating student schedules that allowed all graduation and employment certifications to be satisfied by the end of junior year, vo-tech educational leaders will be able to increase enrollment opportunities at the county-run vo-tech high schools. These findings can guide educators to create individual graduation road maps that summarize credits, skills and certifications earned at the end of junior year. Students’ completed road map would serve as a passport to either off-campus college classes or program-based employment in the final year of high school. A future study analyzing the success rate of vo-tech high school graduates vis-a-vis types of vo-tech instructional schedules, is recommended to provide needed insight on the future of vo-tech high schools regarding creating more enrollment opportunities.