The Vocational Education Enterprise in 1980. A Statement Delivered before the House Subcommittee on Elementary, Secondary and Vocational Education.

Overview & Synopsis

Vocational education serves secondary and postsecondary students, females and minority groups, special populations, and the disadvantaged. To administer vocational education, states use four basic governance structures. Keeping vocational curriculum current with the requirements of work is a continuing process. An effective program is a mix of in-school and on-the-job training and involves employers, labor, and other community leaders. Besides instruction, vocational education offers a variety of ancillary services. It plays a significant role in some states' economic development efforts and is involved with other providers of human resource development services. An infrastructure has evolved to support vocational education. Federal investment is needed to enable vocational education to contribute to the solution of national concerns. The purpose of vocational education legislation should be to enable the Federal Government to cooperate with states in improving quality employment-related education and training that provides individuals with skills that will contribute to economic stability and enhance the economy. The American Vocational Association believes the new legislation should focus on eight major themes: depressed communities, keeping programs current, national concerns, equity, state and national improvement, bridges between vocational education and other human service systems, mismatch between appropriations and expectations, and consumer and homemaking education. (YLB)