Evaluation and Accountability in the Years Ahead. Perspectives from the Department of Education.

Overview & Synopsis

Four of the policy statements for vocational education developed by the Wisconsin Board of Vocational, Technical, and Adult Education reflect concerns shared in the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Vocational and Adult Education. First, vocational education is accountable to the publics, namely students, employers, and state, local, and federal governments. Second, evaluation systems for vocational education are the responsibility of state and local units. Third, planning and implementation of vocational education programs is carried out by the local district with the assistance of appropriate state leadership and federal agencies. Fourth, state agencies responsible for vocational education provide leadership for evaluation of vocational education. Evaluating vocational programs and measuring their effectiveness is difficult. Vocational programs have different purposes and are offered by diverse institutions. Four measures to evaluate vocational education--components and process, occupational impact, equity, and individual student development--all present similar complications. Two issues that will affect vocational programs are weighting evaluation measures and choosing which programs to improve. The proposed Vocational and Adult Education Consolidation Act of 1983 has these components: a simplification of the current Vocational Education Act and provision for a single consolidated grant to each state. (YLB)