A Report of a Study for Improving Personnel Development in Occupational Education for Illinois. Final Report.

Overview & Synopsis

A study was performed to examine problems and opportunities associated with occupational education personnel development. Study objectives were (1) to define the career education concept in relation to occupational personnel development needs, (2) to analyze the need for personnel required to implement occupational education goals, (3) to describe Illinois' personnel development system components, (4) to suggest alternative program delivery models, (5) to develop recommendations and model implementation strategies, and (6) to identify problem areas requiring additional research or funding. Opinions and information were supplied by over 500 professional educators, teachers and administrators, state education agency personnel, and citizens throughout Illinois. Study activities included interviews, surveys, and identification of three major occupational education personnel categories. Sixty-six percent of the secondary schools and community colleges surveyed responded; this portion of the study revealed increased enrollment in occupational programs. Occupational education directors expressed a need for inservice staff development. A survey of Illinois teacher training institutions found a considerable amount of institutional resources available to serve occupational education personnel development. To meet alternative program development needs, it was suggested that institutions must increase their understanding of career education and development. Few developed occupational teacher education programs exist. The study yielded numerous recommendations. (CSS)