Evaluating Vocational Education Programs in Illinois. A Report on Consultation of the Illinois Council on Vocational Education with the Illinois State Board of Education on Evaluation. Report 6.

Overview & Synopsis

Because of a perceived lack in the development and use of evaluation procedures for vocational education in Illinois, a new evaluation system was begun in 1984. It required that at least 20 percent of funded vocational programs be evaluated annually, in compliance with requirements of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act. The evaluation system provides for the assessment of indicators of program quality, efficiency, and expanded student opportunities. The identified indicators include placement, enrollment, employer satisfaction, student satisfaction, student performance, program cost, and objective labor market justification. In the new evaluation system, it is the responsibility of local personnel to conduct self-evaluations, analyzing information pertinent to the indicators and determining whether accepted standards are met in their programs. The Illinois Council on Vocational Education made two recommendations pursuant to the vocational education evaluation system: (1) implement an evaluation system that has the potential to provide high quality education for employment programs to assist in preparing and maintaining the work force; and (2) include in the State Board of Education's annual report the outcome of student successes in vocational education. (KC)