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Fact Check: Jackie Burke, executive president of the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools, stated that the record-high number of graduates this year is partly due to increased awareness of college tuition costs among students and parents.

Fact Check: Jackie Burke, executive president of the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools, stated that the record-high number of graduates this year is partly due to increased awareness of college tuition costs among students and parents.

June 15, 2025•by TruthOrFake AI
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VERDICT
Needs Research

# Fact Check: "Jackie Burke, executive president of the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools, stated that the record-high number ...

Fact Check: "Jackie Burke, executive president of the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools, stated that the record-high number of graduates this year is partly due to increased awareness of college tuition costs among students and parents."

What We Know

Jackie Burke, the executive director of the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools, recently highlighted a record number of graduates from vocational-technical high schools in New Jersey. Specifically, 337 students from the Class of 2025 earned an associate degree while still in high school, which is an increase of 86 students from the previous year (source-4). This increase has been attributed to various factors, including the growing opportunities provided by county-based schools to help students get a head start on their college education (source-7).

Burke's comments suggest that the rising awareness of college tuition costs among students and parents is influencing this trend. This aligns with broader discussions about the financial burden of higher education and the increasing interest in vocational training as a cost-effective alternative (source-6).

Analysis

The claim that Jackie Burke attributed the record-high number of graduates to increased awareness of college tuition costs is plausible, given the context of rising tuition fees and the financial implications for families. However, the specific statement from Burke regarding this awareness has not been directly cited in the available sources. The reports primarily focus on the increase in graduates and the benefits of vocational education rather than explicitly linking the rise in numbers to parental awareness of college costs.

The sources that discuss Burke's role and the achievements of the vocational-technical schools are credible, including official reports and news articles from reputable outlets. However, the lack of direct quotes or specific references to Burke's comments on tuition awareness means that the claim requires further verification. The sources do not provide a direct statement from Burke that confirms her assertion about the influence of college tuition awareness on graduation rates.

Conclusion

Verdict: Needs Research
While the context surrounding the claim is supported by credible sources, the specific assertion that Jackie Burke directly linked the record number of graduates to increased awareness of college tuition costs among students and parents is not substantiated by direct quotes or evidence. Further investigation is needed to clarify Burke's exact statements and to determine the extent to which awareness of tuition costs is influencing enrollment and graduation rates in New Jersey's vocational-technical schools.

Sources

  1. N.J.A.C. 6A:8, Standards and Assessment, readoption - NJ.gov
  2. Fiscal Year 2023 ANNUAL REPORT of ACHIEVEMENTS
  3. Graduate & Professional Bulletin 2023-2024 PDF
  4. Record number of New Jersey vocational-technical high school students earn an associate degree
  5. Jacqueline Burke - Executive Director - NJ Council of County Vocational
  6. How N.J. vo-tech students are earning college degrees
  7. 337 NJ Vo-Tech Students Earn Associate Degrees with High School Diploma
  8. CCTS Celebrates Grand Opening of MET Career Program

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