Department of Education
Ed-Mail - Tennessee Schools Celebrate Vocational Education Week
February 12, 1999
Students and faculty in vocational education programs across Tennessee will celebrate National Vocational Education Week February 14-20. The theme of the weeklong celebration, "Connecting Education and Careers," emphasizes the role vocational education and its business/industry partners play in helping youth and adults enter and progress in the workforce and throughout their lives. According to the Association for Career and Technical Education, research shows that 18 of the country's 20 fastest growing occupations require the technology and skills taught in vocational education programs. Research also shows that among high school graduates entering the workforce, those with a vocational education background earn 21% more than those without this advantage. Nationally, nearly two-thirds of all high school vocational graduates enroll in a postsecondary program, and half of those individuals extend their career paths to attend a four-year college or university. "College majors related directly to vocational studies offer students advantages," said state Executive Director for Vocational Education Becky Kent. "Vocational students usually have a stronger foundation in related courses taken at the post-secondary level. In addition, some community colleges offer credit for certain vocational courses students take in high school." More than 212,500, or approximately 50%, of all seventh through twelfth grade students in Tennessee public schools are served in vocational-technical programs. Vocational offerings statewide cover more than 140 occupational choices in the areas of agriculture, marketing, business and office education, health sciences and technology, family and consumer sciences, technology, trade and industrial education, and applied academics courses. These programs are supported by eight statewide vocational student organizations with 43,062 active members. "Tennessee's vocational education students are learning skills they will use throughout their lives to manage the challenge of living and working in a diverse society," Kent said. "Vocational-technical classrooms provide a hands-on environment in which students can explore careers, increase their technical skills, reinforce academic skills, develop entrepreneurial skills and gain practical experiences through work based education. All students are to become proficient learners, competent workers, and responsible citizens, traits which will continue to be critical personal success factors in the next millennium." For more information, contact Sandra Gray at 615-532-4879 or 615-532-2800.
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