This report was prepared for the National Center for Research in Vocational Education. The objectives of this research were fourfold: (1) to examine the range of vocational education opportunities available to young mothers enrolled in teen parent programs; (2) to explore the degree of access to these opportunities; (3) to examine vocational education use; and 4) to assess the likely impact of the Family Support Act on teen parents and on the programs that serve them.
The report presents results from a telephone survey in 49 nationally representative school districts, from more intensive telephone interviews in 71 teen parent programs in those districts, and from site visits to 14 teen parent programs sponsored by schools and community-based organizations.
These data should help policymakers, professionals, and other teen parent advocates better understand vocational education in the context of teen parent programs. They may also suggest new approaches to providing vocational education to teen mothers.