Implementation matters: a comparison study of career academy and comprehensive high school students’ engagement in college and career readiness activities

ABSTRACTIn this study, we compared students’ engagement in college and career readiness experiences between three academies and a traditional, comprehensive high school. The three academies differed on fidelity in implementing the NAF career academy model. We found that students in the high fidelity NAF academy engaged in both college and career readiness activities at significantly higher levels than their traditional, comprehensive student counterparts. However, the two academies with low and moderate levels of fidelity did not have significantly different college and career readiness experiences compared to those in a traditional, comprehensive school. Our findings provide implications for policy and for future studies concerning the potential of the career academy model to prepare students to be college and career ready.