A Renewed Examination of the Stigma Associated with Community College Career and Technical Education

This phenomenological, comparative case study examines the continued stigma associated with community college CTE along with the stigmatization of those enrolled in these programs. The study cultivated 24 participants who were categorized into two cases, students and alumni; another case included community college administrators. All participants have direct exposure or oversight of a career and technical program. The following research question was used to help guide and focus the study, are community college CTE programs stigmatized? Data reveals that CTE programs remain stigmatized in that these programs are perceived to be for the less able and that the programs themselves contribute to the demoralization of higher education. Data also reveals that community colleges in an effort to organize and support students, they implicitly contribute to the stigmatization of career and technical education.