Vocational Education: Preparing Students for Future Careers

Christopher K. Perkins

ExplanationPreparing students for the future can solidify their place in society by making them members of a diligent, hard-working community.

Thoughts from Businesses50% of employers in U.S. say they can’t find qualified applicants for entry-level positions

U.S. businesses spend $30 billion a yr. training & retraining employees.

U.S. employers do not rely on public educational institutions for training their employees.

-Linda Starr, Education World, 2005

Thoughts from StudentsDo you believe your high school coursework is preparing you for a career?

Survey- 72 High School Sophomores

Current Knowledge

Student Needs Desired Classes

Microsoft Word Typing Animals

Excel Organization Architecture

Proper Format-Business Letters

Communication Cosmetology

Multimedia Completing applications

Secretarial

Résumés Medical

Interviews Interior Design

How to handle rejection

Law enforcement

CATE budget- $1,758,147 –AEIS Report 2007-2008

Why do Student Drop-Out

I'm a sophomore in high school, and want to drop out. I'm sick of how selfish the economy is getting. The people that go to my school, including the teachers are extremely obnoxious and self centered. i believe all they care about is getting their pay checks and getting out of there at the end of the day. who isn't struggling these days? It's so depressing when you have no motivation left to try, and you feel all alone. Half the stuff we learn, isn't going to help us. They don't teach us the basics about the every day life we will have to live on our own, in the future. What's this world going to become in the next 10 years?

Summary of Proposal

Teachers and counselors go out into the field of the perspective vocational class and learn what qualifications employers are looking for in these career fields

The knowledge the teachers and counselors have learned will be brought back to the school to implement a effective curriculum

Set the classes up and explain to students what will be expected of them in this field and relate it to their future career goals and objectives in the classroom giving them a purpose to remain in school with a tangible reward.

Recommendations for Administrators Get out in your area where your students reside

and start developing an idea of what vocational classes would best effect your school or district.

Pick a effective dedicated team that shares your vision who will go out to the employers and represent your school so employers will be more than willing to be supportive

Scrutinize your curriculum to ensure it’s student friendly and gives them a purpose where they can see a future

View and analyze data over periods of time, encourage student questions, ASK QUESTIONS!!

Final Thought

Improve teaching and curricula to make school more relevant and engaging enhancing the connection between school and work. Eighty-one percent of survey students said that if school had provided opportunities for real world learning (internships, hands- on learning opportunities, it would have improved their chances of graduating high school. (Council for Exceptional Children 2006)