Advanced search
1 file | 768.44 KB Add to list

The impact of work-based versus school-based learning on cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes in vocational secondary education

Author
Organization
Abstract
We investigate how work-based versus school-based learning impacts students' cognitive (numeracy, literacy) and non-cognitive outcomes (student motivation, engagement, academic self-concept, well-being) in vocational secondary education. To this end, we exploit longitudinal test score and survey data on a cohort of Belgian pupils. We rely on school-field-of-study fixed effects, (non-)cognitive test scores in the preceding grades, and detailed background characteristics to remove the bias resulting from self-selection into educational programmes. Within the technical track aimed at preparing students both for the labour market and further education, we find the effects of substituting school-based for work-based learning on both cognitive and noncognitive outcomes to be negative. Within the purely vocational track, by contrast, effects seem to be more mixed and to depend on the outcome and amount of workplace learning. These results are consistent with cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes being crucial mechanisms underlying the effects of work-based programmes on educational and labour market career outcomes.
Keywords
ACADEMIC-ACHIEVEMENT, TECHNICAL-EDUCATION, GENERAL-EDUCATION, SELF-CONCEPT, TRACKING, STUDENTS, RETURNS, ENGAGEMENT, INTELLIGENCE, EMPLOYMENT, Vocational training, Work-based learning, Human capital, Dual system, Work placement, Returns to education, Numeracy, Literacy, Non-cognitive skills

Downloads

  • (...).pdf
    • full text (Published version)
    • |
    • UGent only
    • |
    • PDF
    • |
    • 768.44 KB

Citation

Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:

MLA
Tobback, Ilse, et al. “The Impact of Work-Based versus School-Based Learning on Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Outcomes in Vocational Secondary Education.” ECONOMICS OF EDUCATION REVIEW, vol. 107, 2025, doi:10.1016/j.econedurev.2025.102673.
APA
Tobback, I., Verhaest, D., & De Witte, K. (2025). The impact of work-based versus school-based learning on cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes in vocational secondary education. ECONOMICS OF EDUCATION REVIEW, 107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2025.102673
Chicago author-date
Tobback, Ilse, Dieter Verhaest, and Kristof De Witte. 2025. “The Impact of Work-Based versus School-Based Learning on Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Outcomes in Vocational Secondary Education.” ECONOMICS OF EDUCATION REVIEW 107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2025.102673.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
Tobback, Ilse, Dieter Verhaest, and Kristof De Witte. 2025. “The Impact of Work-Based versus School-Based Learning on Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Outcomes in Vocational Secondary Education.” ECONOMICS OF EDUCATION REVIEW 107. doi:10.1016/j.econedurev.2025.102673.
Vancouver
1.
Tobback I, Verhaest D, De Witte K. The impact of work-based versus school-based learning on cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes in vocational secondary education. ECONOMICS OF EDUCATION REVIEW. 2025;107.
IEEE
[1]
I. Tobback, D. Verhaest, and K. De Witte, “The impact of work-based versus school-based learning on cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes in vocational secondary education,” ECONOMICS OF EDUCATION REVIEW, vol. 107, 2025.
@article{01K0C4DZSPXK6V7BDC6NR96C4C,
  abstract     = {{We investigate how work-based versus school-based learning impacts students' cognitive (numeracy, literacy) and non-cognitive outcomes (student motivation, engagement, academic self-concept, well-being) in vocational secondary education. To this end, we exploit longitudinal test score and survey data on a cohort of Belgian pupils. We rely on school-field-of-study fixed effects, (non-)cognitive test scores in the preceding grades, and detailed background characteristics to remove the bias resulting from self-selection into educational programmes. Within the technical track aimed at preparing students both for the labour market and further education, we find the effects of substituting school-based for work-based learning on both cognitive and noncognitive outcomes to be negative. Within the purely vocational track, by contrast, effects seem to be more mixed and to depend on the outcome and amount of workplace learning. These results are consistent with cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes being crucial mechanisms underlying the effects of work-based programmes on educational and labour market career outcomes.}},
  articleno    = {{102673}},
  author       = {{Tobback, Ilse and Verhaest, Dieter and De Witte, Kristof}},
  issn         = {{0272-7757}},
  journal      = {{ECONOMICS OF EDUCATION REVIEW}},
  keywords     = {{ACADEMIC-ACHIEVEMENT,TECHNICAL-EDUCATION,GENERAL-EDUCATION,SELF-CONCEPT,TRACKING,STUDENTS,RETURNS,ENGAGEMENT,INTELLIGENCE,EMPLOYMENT,Vocational training,Work-based learning,Human capital,Dual system,Work placement,Returns to education,Numeracy,Literacy,Non-cognitive skills}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{13}},
  title        = {{The impact of work-based versus school-based learning on cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes in vocational secondary education}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2025.102673}},
  volume       = {{107}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}

Altmetric
View in Altmetric
Web of Science
Times cited: