Characteristics Distinguishing Vocational Education Students From General And Academic Students

This study attempted to identify variables from a lengthy omnibus questionnaire and a set of test scores that would distinguish students in high school vocational education programs from those in academic and general programs. The sample of 16,409 students was selected from a national probability sample. Analyses were performed for five groups, and all results were cross-validated. The results indicated that vocational students were lower than academic students in tested academic ability. Although vocational students were as low in academic ability as were general students, vocational students achieved higher school grades, were less alienated, and focused more on the work world.