Career Education: The Role of Vocational Education.

Overview & Synopsis

In order to stimulate a position on career education, this paper identifies selected principles on which the majority of educators agree concerning the role of career education and proposes some general roles for vocational education. The focus is on the latter, with general rather than specific roles since variation will be evidenced in every school district. Career education demands strategy development and a commitment to deal effectively with basic problems in American education. As an approach, career education is comprehensive and encourages programmatic changes which are student-centered. In many ways, it draws together the varying aspects of the total educational program because it prepares the young people to learn to live productive and rewarding lives. The report discusses the purpose of career education, the role of vocational education elements of career/vocational education, student participation in vocational education, and career education activity and method for vocational education. The appendix details the elements of career education: educational awareness, self awareness, attitudes and appreciations, decision-making skills, economic awareness, entry level competency, employability skills, and career awareness. (Author/VT)