An Exemplary Program for Occupational Preparation in Selected Agricultural and Industrial Activities for Small High Schools in Utah. An Integrated Shop Program.

Overview & Synopsis

Many educational problems center around vocational education--its place in the total educational program, its relation to academic education, when vocational education should be started, and who should participate. Vocational education, the alternative to college preparatory programs, is frequently rejected and more often misunderstood by administrators and consumers of American education. Present-day technology has created a new relationship between man, his work, and his education. There is ample evidence that all persons who work need more education than they have had in the past; yet it appears that our present educational system is not preparing them adequately for many kinds of occupations. The major effort in education is given to programs that lead to a baccalaureate degree. This is done despite the fact that, of approximately 58 million students enrolled in educational institutions, well over 40 million of them will not graduate from college. A major problem today is how to assist small high schools so that they can have adequate programs of vocational education. The document includes discussion of a program entitled "Proposed Organization of Courses in Vocational Education Programs for Small High Schools." (EJ)