Career and Technical Education for Sustainability: A Multiple Case Study of Innovative Community College Programs

Abstract

This multiple case study explored Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that were identified as having a focus on sustainability. Using the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (AASHE STARS) as a conceptual framework, the researchers interpreted whether the social, economic, and environmental concepts of sustainability were included in these programs' curriculum. Findings suggested that several factors impacted program curriculum: (1) attentiveness to industry trends; (2) sustainability as an institutional core value; (3) geographic location of urban versus rural; (4) program maturity; and (5) advisory committee influence. Findings also suggested a unifying definition for sustainability was lacking among these programs though participants demonstrated understanding of some common sustainability concepts.