The Effects of Career Education Interventions on Academic Achievement: A Meta‐Analysis

A meta‐analysis was conducted on 67 studies of the impact of career education on academic achievement. It offered evidence of a small positive effect. Across the 67 studies analyzed, the average experimental effect size was .16. Career education interventions improved student academic achievement levels an average of .16 standard deviations over alternative or control conditions. Results support the value of career education as a contributor to academic achievement. Elementary students of average ability seem to profit the most in their academic achievement. This was particularly true if (a) they were randomly assigned to groups, (b) the career education intervention was coupled with math and language arts subject matter, (c) the intervention averaged 151 to 200 hours per 9‐month school year, and (d) the program was concluding its second year with the same students.