LOUISIANA

State Director-Kirby K. Awagain

INTRODUCTION

Mr. Chairman and members of the General Subcommittee on Education: I deeply appreciate the opportunity of submitting a detailed report on the progress of vocational education in Louisiana and your invitation to make appropriate comments for improvements in federally supported vocational and manpower programs. Just 2 years ago, our State was afforded this same opportunity and we know that our report and comments were seriously reviewed and given due consideration. During these 2 years, much has occurred concerning occupational education, not only in our State but throughout the Nation. This situation perhaps further points out how rapidly vocational education is subject to change and redirection. There is little doubt that the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968, enacted by the Congress provided sweeping changes and broad new directions in vocational education programs. However, the full intent of Congress was not carried out in this legislation relative to authorized funding levels. Although the effects of the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968, have had an enormous impact in Louisiana, greater achievements would have been registered had the intent of the legislation been carried out at the national level.

The declaration of purpose as contained in Public Law 90-576 is paralleled in the broad goals and objectives of Louisiana's program of vocational education. Objectives which are reflective of the goals of the 1968 amendments are included in the Louisiana State plan for the administration of vocational education:

The general objectives of vocational programs, services, and activities in Louisiana shall be to maintain, extend, and improve existing programs of vocational education so that persons of all ages in all communities of the State will have ready access to vocational training or re-training which is of high quality, which is realistic in the light of actual or anticipated opportunities for gainful employment, and which is suited to their needs, interests, and ability to benefit from such training.

Specifically, the following goals and objectives have formed the base upon which vocational education in Louisiana has developed and operated:

1. Vocational-technical education shall provide adequate and timely instruction in both preparatory and supplemental training which will reflect occupational trends and meet the changing needs of public requirements.

2. Vocational programs, services, and activities shall be supervised and directed by professionally qualified vocational education personnel.

3. Programs shall be implemented only after needs for such training have been established.

4. Instructional and supervisory staffs shall maintain proper coordination with industry and shall accept responsibility for the placement and followup of students.

5. The staff serving vocational-technical programs shall include competent support personnel responsible for and capable of insuring a sound program of vocational guidance, counseling, and other ancillary services.

6. Instructional facilities and equipment shall be comparable to those used in the occupations for which training is provided.

7. Continual study of vocational education innovations and issues shall be provided as a basis for initiating redirections, changes, and new approaches to create a bridge between school and earning a living.

8. Curriculum content shall be based on the skills and knowledge required in the occupation and will be developed and conducted in consultation with persons actively engaged in the occupations.

9. Evaluation shall be a vital part of programs, services, and activities to insure that objectives and goals are attained and that weaknesses, strengths, and outstanding features are documented.

10. An active State advisory council composed of persons from business, industry, education, management, labor, and other areas shall function in an advisory capacity to the State board of education.

11. There shall be an effective public information program relating to vocational education. Encouragement and involvement of community groups and individuals in the development and relationship of educational goals shall be emphasized.

12. Ancillary services relating to teacher education, both preservice and inservice preparation of personnel, shall be developed and maintained.

13. Youth organizations are recognized as an integral part of the instructional program in all areas of vocational education.

Impressive gains in enrollment over the 10-year period in vocational education is evidenced in table 1. Programs, services, and activities were offered in all recognized vocational areas-agriculture, distribution, health, home economics, office occupations, technical, and trades and industry. Also, ancillary services and activities were provided which include teacher education, curriculum development, administration and supervision, guidance and counseling, and research.

TABLE 1.-ENROLLMENTS IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS BY LEVEL, STATE OF LOUISIANA

Note.-Enrollment data by program indicate both the expansions in specific areas as well as redirections which occurred

TABLE 2.-ENROLLMENTS IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION BY PROGRAM, STATE OF LOUISIANA

During the years being reviewed, there was a continued expansion of vocational education opportunities; however, new directions were set in order to meet priority needs of the State. New programs were developed with noticeable change in basic vocational education programs. Population groups with special needs, such as the handicapped and disadvantaged, were given added emphasis as required by the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968. Additional priorities included the serving of persons in economically depressed areas of the State as well as cities and communities registering high youth unemployment and excessive school dropouts. Funds expended from Federal, State, and local sources in most cases were directed primarily toward the purposes of section 122 (a) of the Public Law 90-576 with special programs and services provided for by appropriate authorizations of the act. Discretionary funds provided by the U.S. Commissioner of Education were responsible for carrying out limited, but very important and far-reaching exemplary and research projects.

PUBLIC LAW 90-576 "PART B-STATE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS"

Major expenditures with corresponding enrollments were registered in part B areas. This included not only Federal expenditures, but State and local efforts as well. As an example, in 1972 approximately 80 percent of Federal expenditures were in part B. 102(a) State programs with a corresponding 76 percent of State and local expenditures in this area. Of the 176,387 persons enrolled in vocational education in the State in 1972, 115,800 or 65.7 percent were in part B programs. The diversity of purpose and flexibility of funding provisions have resulted in significant accomplishments in both the numbers of persons served and the types of vocational opportunities available throughout the State. Local and State efforts have contributed greatly to providing adequate resources. During the past year, for every $1 of Federal funds expended, $2.03 in State and local funds were provided.

a. Job Training Enrollments

Following are data relating to job training enrollments by job training area and by high school, posthigh school, and adult for fiscal years 1963, 1968, 1972, and 1977 (estimated). In order to present the infor

mation in summary form and to conserve space, major vocational areas rather than specific occupations are shown.

TABLE 3.-JOB TRAINING ENROLLMENTS, PART B-STATE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS,
STATE OF LOUISIANA, SECONDARY LEVEL

TABLE 4.-JOB TRAINING ENROLLMENTS, PART B-STATE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS,
STATE OF LOUISIANA, POSTSECONDARY LEVEL

1 Postsecondary enrollments were reported in error as secondary as noted in table 3.

TABLE 5.-JOB TRAINING ENROLLMENTS, PART B-STATE VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS,
STATE OF LOUISIANA, ADULT LEVEL