Change Is in the Offing. New Opportunities for Secondary Vocational Education in the State of Maine. Concept Paper for the Commissioner's Task Force To Study Secondary Vocational Education in Maine. Revised Edition.

Overview & Synopsis

Change is in the offing for the entire educational system in Maine, especially for the vocational education system. Observations about the present state of vocational education in the state are offered, and recommendations are made to improve the program. Recommendations include the following: (1) establishment of a comprehensive research section in the Bureau of Adult and Secondary Vocational Education to provide analytical data for use in evaluating existing programs and new initiatives; (2) creation of a program to support in-school youth and dropouts in attaining employment; (3) development of career education for all grade levels; (4) preparation of a plan to identify the inservice needs of vocational educators and develop strategies to address them; (5) establishment of standards to certify vocational teachers; (6) development of strategies to implement change in the delivery of secondary vocational education; (7) review of modes of delivery of vocational education with an eye toward needed changes; (8) change of the secondary vocational education system to a competency-based system; and (9) development of a new vocational education delivery system to meet the new needs of students. These recommendations are offered to provoke thought that will lead to new opportunities for Maine's secondary vocational education students. A list of 24 references is included. (KC)