Students in the Vocational Curriculum
The number of students enrolling in the vocational curriculum is on the decline. In a recent survey, less than 10 percent of high school students identified themselves as being in vocational education (National Center for Education Statistics, 1993a). A growing percentage of these vocational students are economically or educationally disadvantaged, disabled, or limited-English-proficient (National Assessment of Vocational Education, 1994). Many vocational students do not complete a coherent sequence of courses in high school that would lead to a job advantage (National Assessment of Vocational Education, 1994).
Traditionally, vocational classes have been designed for students who plan to go into the work force directly after high school. These classes typically use hands-on, practical approaches to learning, but they avoid rigorous academics. Often the vocational curriculum includes applied academic courses--such as applied mathematics or applied science--which focus on subject matter concepts in a real-world situation.
Some teachers have lowered expectations for students in vocational classes and may not hold the students to high academic standards. As a result, some vocational students may not develop thinking and problem-solving skills, and their reading, writing, communication, and math skills may be lower than average.
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