VOCATIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION IN MICHIGAN.

Overview & Synopsis

TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE MICHIGAN PROGRAM OF VOCATIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION IS EFFECTIVE IN THE LIGHT OF CURRENT AND PREDICTABLE SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES, EACH PUBLIC UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE IN THE STATE WAS ASKED TO APPOINT A MEMBER TO A SPECIAL TASK-FORCE WHICH WOULD HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE EVALUATION OF VOCATIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL WORKING COMMITTEE IN EACH VOCATIONAL SERVICE AREA WAS MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR PREPARING SECTIONS OF THIS REPORT ON THE VOCATIONAL SERVICE AREAS. EVALUATIONS FOR MOST PROGRAMS INCLUDE (1) TYPES OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAMS, (2) A DESCRIPTION OF THE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS, (3) PLACEMENT OF VOCATIONAL TEACHERS, (4) INSERVICE MASTER'S DEGREE, DOCTORAL DEGREE, AND PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS, (5) SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR TEACHERS, (6) OPINIONS OF GRADUATES ABOUT THE PROGRAMS, AND (7) CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE SERVICE AREA. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT VOCATIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION IN MICHIGAN IS GENERALLY MEETING THE NEEDS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES. HOWEVER, FOLLOWUP WORK AND CONSULTATIVE SERVICES IN SOME AREAS HAVE NOT BEEN DEVELOPED TO MEET LOCAL NEEDS. THE RESEARCH PROGRAM IS GENERALLY INADEQUATE, AND INCREASED COORDINATION OF TEACHER EDUCATION ACTIVITIES AMONG INSTITUTIONS IS NEEDED. (PS)