Comprehensive Personnel Development Program on Vocational Education for Special Needs Learners, Also Known as the Vocational Education Special Needs Project. Final Report of a Special Project.

Overview & Synopsis

This project was conducted to enable vocational teacher trainees and vocational practitioners and support personnel (e.g., special education teachers, developmental education specialists, counselors) to meet the special vocational needs of disadvantaged and handicapped learners in Oregon schools and colleges. To accomplish this objective, the project assisted vocational teacher educators and special teacher educators to infuse instruction on vocational education for special needs learners into ongoing programs and courses. This support was provided via four components: an on-campus preservice teacher education component, high school and community college courses, and a management and project management component. The project satisfied a heavy demand: 542 clients who represented 172 agencies and institutions were served through activities such as workshops and individual consulting. Recommendations were made for making better use of resources by meeting existing demands from high schools and attempting to create more demand from community colleges by trying to have Federal regulations regarding disadvantaged learners enforced. (KC)