An analysis of the vocational education knowledge held by high school principals as perceived by vocational directors in the Indiana vocational education delivery system
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Abstract
The purposes of the study were to (1) demonstrate that due to the increased demand for vocational education on the secondary level, the high school principal must take a more active role in vocational education, and (2) determine what knowledge or information the vocational directors of Indiana believed the principals should have in order to provide a stronger vocational delivery system.Vocational education students represent thirty percent of the total high school population in Indiana. Enrollment of secondary school students in Indiana vocational education programs have increased steadily since 1967, with an increase of ninety-eight percent. With thirty percent of high school students involved in vocational education, the secondary school administrator must take a more active role in the administration of vocational education. The secondary school administrator needs to provide for a smooth transition from the high school environment to the vocational centers.FindingsThe following selected findings were based upon the data of the study:1. The major emphasis of vocational education in Indiana is concentrated on an area center level.2. The findings indicated 90.4 percent of the vocational directors and 87.6 percent of the high school principals surveyed did graduate work leading to a vocational director's license and secondary administrator's license in Indiana.3. The average number of graduate classes in educational administration and supervision completed by the vocational directors was 2.9.4. The average number of graduate classes completed by high school principals concerning vocational education was .06, less than one class.5. The vocational directors believed that the high school principals should be more knowledgeable about vocational education than the high school principals perceptions indicated by the principals.ConclusionsThe following conclusions were based upon the findings and data of the study:1. High school principals did not have the knowledge, concerning vocational education, that was believed necessary for the principals to have in order to strengthen the vocational delivery system.2. Cooperation and communication between the high school principals and vocational directors was viewed as weak and ineffective.3. High school principals are not being prepared to meet the vocational needs of high school students.4. There is evidence of limited or no communication between the State Board of Vocational and Technical Education, the Division of Vocational Education and the high school principals.5. High school principals have limited opportunities to contribute in planning and implementation of vocational education at the area vocational centers and state administration level.6. State teacher certification patterns do not include vocational education in the requirements for the secondary school administration and supervision license.