Articulation: A Study by the National Advisory Council on Vocational Education.

Overview & Synopsis

This report presents the findings of the National Advisory Council on Vocational Education's (NACVE) national study of the degree to which public vocational education programs in secondary institutions are continuous with those in the same or closely related fields of postsecondary instruction. Methodology involved a survey of the 56 state advisory councils on vocational education of which 48 responded (85.7%). Conclusions, based on the survey responses and on a literature review, indicated that (1) there is planned articulation between secondary and postsecondary levels of instruction in slightly less than 40% of the responding states; (2) where granted, advanced placement is more often based on criteria other than completion of secondary vocational programs; (3) articulation occurs most frequently in programs in apprenticeable occupations, occupations requiring licensure, or those which might be continued at the higher education level; and (4) about 50% of the states have some form of statewide coordinating council, and about 60% have local coordinating councils involving representatives from both secondary and postsecondary vocational education administration. Based on report findings and conclusions, NACVE offers four recommendations, two for the U.S. Office of Education and two for State Advisory Councils on Vocational Education. Survey responses are summarized in tabular and narrative form, and the survey instrument and other project materials are appended. (MF)