Career Education in Secondary Schools. A Report on the 1979 Survey.

Overview & Synopsis

A 1979 survey of career education programs in the secondary schools of New Zealand revealed a general need for improvement. Most of the 269 programs surveyed could be improved in a number of areas, particularly definition, coordination, and commitment. Some schools, for example, define career education as career advising, when in fact it should be a broader, more comprehensive program. Other schools call their programs career education activities "programs," when they are but disjointed efforts or units of instruction. Lack of coordination in many schools is shown by the uncertainty about who is in charge and unawareness about what teachers are doing relevant to career education. A common assumption is that career education is the province of the guidance counselor. The survey showed the need for a career education coordinator in all schools and inservice training for all teachers if the program is to be workable. The study also showed that the commitment of schools to career education is limited. Of the schools surveyed, 29 percent have no program at all. Even when programs exist, staff are often reluctant to become involved, and parents often lack enthusiasm even for one-evening "career nights." The study, however, did find some schools with excellent career education programs, and showed that positive steps have been taken in setting up demonstration project schools and developing resources for career education. The survey provides the basis and direction for further development of career education in New Zealand's secondary schools. (Appended materials include the survey, career education guidelines, and educational staffing and salary regulations.) (KC)