This document discusses the importance of vocational education in preparing high school students for future careers. It notes that many businesses say recent graduates lack necessary skills for entry-level jobs. A survey found that students want classes in areas like computers, business, healthcare, and construction trades. The document proposes that teachers and counselors learn about career requirements directly from employers to better design vocational curriculum that engages students and connects classroom learning to future opportunities.

1. Vocational Education: Preparing Students for Future Careers Christopher K. Perkins

2. Explanation Preparing students for the future can solidify their place in society by making them members of a diligent, hard-working community.

3. Thoughts from Businesses 50% of employers in U.S. say they can’t find qualified applicants for entry-level positions U.S. businesses spend $30 billion a yr. training & retraining employees. U.S. employers do not rely on public educational institutions for training their employees. -Linda Starr, Education World, 2005

4. Thoughts from Students Do you believe your high school coursework is preparing you for a career? Survey- 72 High School Sophomores

5. CATE budget- $1,758,147 –AEIS Report 2007-2008 Current Knowledge Student Needs Desired Classes Microsoft Word Typing Animals Excel Organization Architecture Proper Format-Business Letters Communication Cosmetology Multimedia Completing applications Secretarial Résumés Medical Interviews Interior Design How to handle rejection Law enforcement

6. Why do Student Drop-Out I'm a sophomore in high school, and want to drop out. I'm sick of how selfish the economy is getting. The people that go to my school, including the teachers are extremely obnoxious and self centered. i believe all they care about is getting their pay checks and getting out of there at the end of the day. who isn't struggling these days? It's so depressing when you have no motivation left to try, and you feel all alone. Half the stuff we learn, isn't going to help us. They don't teach us the basics about the every day life we will have to live on our own, in the future. What's this world going to become in the next 10 years?

7. Summary of Proposal Teachers and counselors go out into the field of the perspective vocational class and learn what qualifications employers are looking for in these career fields The knowledge the teachers and counselors have learned will be brought back to the school to implement a effective curriculum Set the classes up and explain to students what will be expected of them in this field and relate it to their future career goals and objectives in the classroom giving them a purpose to remain in school with a tangible reward.

8. Recommendations for Administrators Get out in your area where your students reside and start developing an idea of what vocational classes would best effect your school or district. Pick a effective dedicated team that shares your vision who will go out to the employers and represent your school so employers will be more than willing to be supportive Scrutinize your curriculum to ensure it’s student friendly and gives them a purpose where they can see a future View and analyze data over periods of time, encourage student questions, ASK QUESTIONS!!

9. Final Thought Improve teaching and curricula to make school more relevant and engaging enhancing the connection between school and work. Eighty-one percent of survey students said that if school had provided opportunities for real world learning (internships, hands- on learning opportunities, it would have improved their chances of graduating high school. (Council for Exceptional Children 2006)