Career Education Track Record to Date.

Overview & Synopsis

Current Office of Education career education program initiatives and ideas in the planning stages are directed to strengthening of leadership, vocational education research grants and exemplary projects, curriculum development and dissemination, and Federal support. Research grant emphasis has been on 12-18 month full-scale career education demonstration projects and the support of a new thrust in vocational education research, applied studies. Commitment of vocational education exemplary projects has been and will continue to be directed toward career preparation-type activities for students in grades kindergarten through post high school, K-14. Three career education curriculum units have been approved for State education agency distribution (Lincoln County, West Virginia and Cobb County, Georgia--K-6; University of California at Los Angeles--allied health careers), and curriculum development has progressed well in 15 career clusters, with grants for three additional clusters this year. For the first time, the Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, will be oriented to career education with jobs presented in occupational clusters. In terms of budget planning and proposals, career education continues to be viewed as a concept and essential component of the educational process, rather than as a line program or fad. (EA)