The Pennsylvania Report: A New Agenda for Vocational-Technical Education. Final Report. Volume I: Narrative.

Overview & Synopsis

A Pennsylvania study analyzed the capability of the existing systems to deliver a comprehensive, articulated program of vocational education. A review of prior studies of vocational education in Pennsylvania found consensus about needed changes in the state's program. Areas of improvement included governance and administration; leadership; research, planning, evaluation, and professional development; program development; and curriculum. Study activities included a description of the current vocational education program in Pennsylvania, identification of problems in the program, identification of promising elements of vocational education in other states, use of a policy Delphi to assist in identifying and prioritizing alternative strategies, analysis of study findings, and development of recommendations. Sixteen study recommendations dealt with the five issues identified in the literature. They included regional governance; a commissioner of vocational-technical education; state board of education advocacy for vocational-technical education; a clear statement of purpose of vocational-technical education; business/industry/labor relationships; public information campaign; enhanced research capacity; enhanced teacher professionalism; accreditation of area vocational-technical schools; compatible databases; technical institutes; vocational-technical education in grades 8, 9, and 10; vocational-technical education in grades 11 and 12; interdisciplinary curriculum; and student educational development plans. (34 references) (YLB)