Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2014

DOI

10.5328/cter39.2.151

Publication Title

Career and Technical Education Research

Volume

39

Issue

2

Pages

151-169

Abstract

Stakeholders in career and technical education declare the value of applied learning through corresponding co-curricular student organizations. However, there is limited empirical evidence to support the notion that student organizations help participants to achieve academic gains. This study examined the levels of engagement in DECA's co-curricular activities, years of membership in DECA, and the impact of multiple years of membership on members' grade point averages in high school. Two-hundred twelve students across Virginia (n = 212) completed an inventory describing their involvement with DECA and provided entry, midpoint, and exit grade point averages. It was determined that DECA members showed significant increases in overall academic grade point averages during their memberships, and multiple years of membership amplified the increases. It was also determined that students who were more engaged in DECA's annual activities showed greater academic gains than did their more passive member counterparts.

Original Publication Citation

Kosloski, M. F., Jr., & Ritz, J. M. (2014). DECA membership and its effect on grade point average as an indicator of academic success. Career and Technical Education Research, 39(2), 151-169. https://doi.org/10.5328/cter39.2.151

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