FOREWORD

Three years ago Congress unanimously passed Public Law 90-576, the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968. That law called for fundamental reforms in our educational system in order to provide an opportunity for every American youngster to receive job training through our schools.

During these last 3 years momentous changes have occurred and opportunities have been provided which never would have been possible for many youngsters prior to 1968. The primary purpose of this volume is to document these changes.

This volume is part of the continuing oversight activities being conducted by the General Subcommittee on Education on the Nation's educational programs. It contains reports from every one of the 50 States and the District of Columbia outlining the implementation of the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968 within each State and the District of Columbia. These reports from the State directors of vocational education and the State advisory councils on vocational education have been carefully examined by the subcommittee. They demonstrate that tremendous progress has been achieved, and yet they also clearly indicate the distance which we have yet to cover in order to attain our goal, namely, assuring that every American youngster graduates with a marketable skill and is properly propared to face the world of work.

This volume also contains the five reports of the National Advisory Council on Vocational Education. Since the subcommittee is very impressed with the leadership which the National Council has provided in vocational education, we would only encourage the Council to continue its fine work.

The subcommittee wants to extend its sincere thanks to the State directors of vocational education who have provided statements especially for this volume. These statements demonstrate the great degree of dedication which is present among these public spirited officials.

It is my hope that this compendium of State and national reports on the progress of vocational education will not only serve as documentation on the implementation of the Amendments but als as a "clearing house" for an effective exchange of ideas and programs. By making available to the Nation's State superintendents and all others interested in education the panorama of vocational education, it is my hope all programs will benefit.

Romon R. Freinshi

Chairman, General Subcommittee on Education.

PART A

NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL REPORTS

ANNUAL REPORT-NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL ON VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 1968, PUBLIC LAW 90-576

JULY 15, 1969

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE,

Hon. ROBERT H. FINCH,

OFFICE OF EDUCATION, Washington, D.C., July 15, 1969.

Secretary, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare,
Washington, D.O.

DEAR MR. SECRETARY: The National Advisory Council on Vocational Education is required by law to "make annual reports of its findings and recommendations... to the Secretary for transmittal to the Congress."

We transmit with this letter, as our first such report, a brief statement outlining the major steps which in our view must be taken at once if vocational education is to make the substantial contributions of which it is capable toward eliminating unemployment, unrest, and violence in our country.

Because we have only recently organized, this report does not reflect the more detailed appraisal of the administration and operation of vocational programs which we contemplate in the future. We expect to submit additional findings and recommendations during the coming year. The Council believes, however, that its principal findings and recommendations are so clear and so urgent that to delay their transmission to you and to the Congress would be unwise.

Sincerely yours,

HUGH CALKINS, Chairman.

The National Advisory Council on Vocational Education was created by the Congress through the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968. It is composed of 21 persons, appointed by the President from diverse backgrounds in labor, management and education. It is charged by law to advise the Commissioner of Education concerning the operation of vocational education programs, make recommendations concerning such programs, and make annual reports to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare for transmittal to Congress.