Predictors of Students' Career Maturity in Central Ohio High Schools. Summary of Research 55

A study was conducted to determine the relationship of curriculum, gender, and location of residence to career maturity of high school students. Two schools (one urban, one rural) in central Ohio provided 320 participating students. A stratified random sampling techique was then used to select equal numbers of 10th and 12th grade vocational-male, vocational-female, college preparatory-male, college preparatory-female students from each of the rural and urban schools. Data were collected in the classrooms using the Career Development Inventory (CDI) and a demographic data questionnaire. Grade point averages and test scores were provided by the schools. Among the findings were the following: (1) college preparatory students were higher in career maturity than vocational students at both the 10th- and 12th-grade levels; (2) female students were higher than male students in career maturity at both the 10th- and 12th-grade levels; (3) no significant difference in career maturity was found between rural and urban students; and (4) scholastic achievement was significantly related to career maturity. (34 references) (CML)