The Status of Career Education.

Overview & Synopsis

Drawing upon career education leaders and specialists as sources, the authors explore the status of career education by discussing definitions, program dimensions, roles of career education, program evaluation, and recommendations for the State of Mississippi. The most common definitions of career education focus on five aspects: (1) career development, (2) integral part of education, (3) individualized, (4) comprehensive, and (5) preparation for life. Prevalent career education program dimensions include: self, occupational information, psychology of work, organizational, social contribution, planfulness, work ethics, school-work relationship, occupational preparation, and work adjustment. Central to the implementation of the career education concept are the roles of teachers, counselors, and vocational educators, with business and industry personnel and parents also playing vital roles. In the area of evaluation, currently accepted guidelines involve: goals, criteria, participants, feedback and follow-through, and planned continuous process. Various evaluation models are described--cost-effectiveness approach, outcome approaches, and local assessment techniques. Recommendations for Mississippi include provision for: adequate funding of education, pre-service and in-service training of educators, adequate counselors, continued expansion of comprehensive educational programs, and local system support in a statewide commitment. (EA)