Career Education by Any Name: Vocational!

"Definition of vocational education: training for a specific occupation in agriculture,, trade, or industry through a combination of theoretical teaching and practical experience provided by many high schools in their commercial and technical divisions, and by special institutions of collegiate standing (as a college of agriculture, a school of engineering, or a technical institute) "Vocational Education." Merriam-Webster.com.

Maybe people no longer know what "vocational" means. Certainly, bias prevents educators from ever using the word. As one put it, "'Now is the time for career and technical education,' said Tana Lee, Berkeley County director of Career and Technical Education and president-elect of the state association."

A century ago Woodrow Wilson signed the "Smith Hughes National Vocational Education Act, [which] created the Federal Board for Vocational Education to promote training in agriculture, trades and industries, commerce and home economics in the secondary schools." A century ago Congress knew that not all should attend college. Now we have calls for universal college on the same level as high school. If that ever comes to pass, it WILL be on the same level as high school.

Somehow in the last century school districts forgot everyday life and work. Now we graduate those who can't sew on a button or pick up a hammer, as though every graduate will be wealthy enough to hire someone else to do those jobs. 

Graduates lack all self-sufficiency.

Gotta love that some believe "culinary skills," "industrial skills," and "horticulture" are new offerings at the high school level. 

Um, home economics, shop, agriculture, anyone?

"For years, vocational education had a reputation as something reserved for those students who weren’t college material."

"That’s not the case anymore as students — and their parents — realize that so-called CATE classes teach practical, hands-on skills." Duh.

Think of those students convinced that college was right for them who racked up tens of thousands in student loans and now work at jobs not only not requiring college but not requiring any skills at all. 

"In the Lowcountry, school districts work with the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Talent Demand Study, which identifies where workers will be needed."

“'Working with industry, we are able to identify programs that would benefit the local areas, and we’re able to encourage the students to take courses that will hopefully meet that demand,' Lee said."

"'For example, we know that we need to increase the number of students that are coming out with an interest in general assembly and manufacturing. We know that in our area there are lots of jobs out there for those students.'”

"At the Orangeburg Consolidated School District 5 High School for Health Professions, students learn the foundations of anatomy and biology, getting a head start on nursing or medical school while earning college credits at the nearby Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College."

We can only hope that the Charleston County School District does the same!