Ten Things to Know about Vocational Schools?

Answer 1

There are many misconceptions regarding vocational schools. While vocational high schools have grown in their technical and vocational offerings and improved the quality of their traditional education programs, these advances often lack quality marketing to taxpayers. Those who have a vocational school in their district and have not visited it or spoken with representatives from the school may have much to learn about the new vocational schools. Residents who pay for the schools should have the benefit of understanding their offerings.

1. Most vocational high schools also have technical programs. The schools have advanced beyond basic trade programs.

2. Many vocational high schools offer free or low cost training to adult who live in the district the school services.

3. Students often benefit from vocational and technical training, learning traditional subjects in new ways. Teachers are often trained in non-traditional methods to maximize vocational and traditional subject learning.

4. States are moving to require vocational students to meet the same standards as traditional public schools. Some states have already mandated these requirements. In some districts, this has resulted in vocational students passing traditional high school students on state tests.

5. Local municipalities often benefit from vocational projects completed by students. Cities and towns provide supplies. Vocational students provide the labor, saving cities and towns money.

6. Local non-profits also benefit from vocational student labor projects. The students require places to work and the non-profits benefit from free labor.

7. Towns generally share resources to create a vocational school. Funding is a shared responsibility and most states provide additional resources to offset the additional expenses related to vocational and technical shops.

8. Whether enrolled in vocational or technical program, students split their schedules between traditional and shop education. Most schools rotate traditional education weeks with shop weeks.

9. Vocational school focus on job skills, placement, and behavior in a way traditional public schools are not designed to handle. While many students continue on to college, the vocational school curriculum assumes students should be able to utilize their skills to find a job after leaving the school.

10. Vocational schools do provide students with college preparation and placement resources. Students receive assistance applying for financial aid and are eligible for scholarships to continue their education.