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Table of Contents I. Introduction II. College Prep vs. Vocational Education III. Main Targets of College Prep and Vocational Education IV. Programs and Curriculum V. My experience with Vocational Education and College Preparation VI. Curriculum Advancement VII. Conclusion

College Preparation vs. Vocational Education By: Cassaundra Lewis

Introduction


 * Every year thousands of students graduate from high school and go on to college. Every year hundreds are not as successful. What can be done to assure that more high school students go on to college? What can we do to prepare students for college? The United States has been debating these questions not only on state levels, but national as well. In this article I will discuss some of the benefits, hindrances, advances, and content of vocational education and college preparation courses.

What are college prep and vocational education?


 * First we should define college preparation and vocational education. College preparation is a course or series of courses that help students adjust to many college-level requirements. Vocational education is a course or series of courses that give students work related experience to express the nature of careers and help them learn skills that will assist towards careers in the future. William Tierney writes, “Important objectives of most programs are the smoothing of the transition from school to college, improvement of study habits, increase of general academic readiness, and expansion of academic options” (Increasing Access to College, 2002, pg 3.

Who is targeted?


 * One of the main targets of college preparation courses are low-income students and minorities, who make up a very small percentage of students attending both two and four year colleges directly after high school. Vocational education targets those who are even less likely to attend college immediately after high school. Both college prep and vocational education attempt to enlighten students about career choices and assist them with the transition from high school into the real world.

What progress is being made?


 * According to Anne Lewis, of the Education Digest, “more students are taking upper-level math and science classes and more are enrolled in Advanced Placement classes” (College Prep, 2004, paragraph 1). She goes on to state, “the likelihood of ninth-graders completing high school and enrolling in college by age 19 (…, having graduated from high school within four years and directly entered a higher education institution) has declined”(paragraph 2). The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education grades each state, on a scale of A to F, on ability to effectively prepare students for college. Seven states received an “A,” Connecticut, Colorado, Massachusetts (who scored the highest), Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Utah. Louisiana and New Mexico were the only states to receive a “F.”

What all is included in the curriculum for college preparation and vocational education?


 * What factors help in considering whether or not a program should be added or subtracted? Unfortunately, there is no fool proof way of being able to tell what is going to help and what isn’t. There are many things to take into consideration when choosing what programs to keep and eliminate. As far as college preparation is concerned, a lot of the learning occurs in advanced classes. Many different approaches are used, such as computer-based assessment and writing assessment. With vocational education, you must determine: What will the student want to study? What does the community need as far as work experience? What will motivate the students toward life after high school?

My Experience with college prep and vocational education.


 * While I was in high school, I was fortunate enough to experience both college preparation and vocational education. In my opinion, college preparation did very little to help me familiarize myself with what college would actually be like. During my time as a vocational education student, I had hands on job training and was able to get my license as a cosmetologist when I graduated from high school. Vocational education did more for me on an overall level than college preparation. I do understand that not everyone was as fortunate as I and may not have had the same type of support that I received. One contributing factor, that is very often overlooked, is the influence of home life on attending college directly after high school.

Conclusion


 * In my opinion, America will constantly have research to do to determine what all should be included in college prep and vocational education curriculum as the nations needs change. Economy is one of the leading factors in what should and shouldn't be included as part of the curriculum.

Sources

Law, C. J. (1994). Tech Prep Education: A Total Quality Approach. Lancaster, PA: Technomic Publishing Company.

Lewis, A. C. (2004). College Prep. The Education Digest, 70, 69-70.

Finch, C. R., Crunkilton, J. R. (1999). Curriculum Development in Vocational and Technical Education: Planning, Content, and Implementation (5th ed.). Boston: Viacom Company.

Tierney, W. G., Corwin, Z. B., and Colyar, J. E. (2005). Preparing for College: Nine Elements of Effective Outreach. New York: State University of New York Press.

Tierney, W. G., Hagedorn, L. S. (2002). Increasing Access to College: Extending Possibilities for All Students. New York: State University of New York Press.

Walter, D. M. (1992). Tech Prep: Challenges and Opportunities For Community Colleges. Southern Association of Community, Junior, and Technical Colleges (SACJTC) Occasional Paper, 10, 3-8.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following indicates the group being target by college preparation and vocationall education classes?

A. whites with low incomes B. blacks with low incomes C. students in low income households D. minorities E. c and d

2. Which of the following states scored the highest based on the report from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education?

A. Virginia B. California C. Florida D. Massachussets E. None of the above

3. Which of the following states scored the lowest based on the report from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education?

A. Louisiana B. Massachussets C. Virginia D. New Mexico E. A and D

Answers 1.E 2.D 3.E