The Federal Role in Vocational-Technical Education. CCRC Brief.

Overview & Synopsis

This research brief examines the effects of federal legislation on vocational and technical education. Federal legislation must be reauthorized every 5 years, with an associated national study, the series of National Assessments of Vocational Education (NAVE). This pattern of constant reexamination has made federal support for vocational education somewhat unstable, and has resulted in multiple redefinitions of the purpose and nature of vocational education. The current labor force demands require that workers have higher levels of education, and in different forms, with a new focus on higher-order competencies. Ongoing retraining through lifelong learning is required if workers are to guard against job loss due to skill gaps. This brief analyzes the benefits of federal support of technical education programs. Although the federal government currently spends about $1 billion on postsecondary vocational education, this constitutes only 2% of total spending in the programs. Federal support for the programs demonstrates that education is a component of national economic growth and international competitiveness. It also demonstrates that vocational education promotes equity. The brief offers suggestions for federal policy, including funding and assessment issues and remedial education. (NB)