Page images
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

Increases:

Program:

1. To increase grants to States in the Appalachian region for construction of vocational
schools to the full authorization of $16,000,000.

2. To initiate the program of residential vocational schools.

3. To provide for additional vocational student loans:

Decreases:

(a) Advances for insurance reserve funds...

(b) Interest payments on insured loans..

Subtotal, program increases.

Appalachian regional development programs.

To decrease the funds available for work-study programs..
To relocate the vocational student loan insurance program..

Subtotal, decreases....

Total net change requested.....

8, 000, 000 3,500,000

175,000 675,000 12, 350, 000

-8,000,000 -15, 000, 000 -50,000

--23, 050, 000

-10, 700,000

EXPLANATION OF CHANGES

1. The Applachian Regional Development Act of 1965 authorized $16 million for construction of vocational schools in areas of the region where such education was not available. The $8 million requested represents the balance of the total funds authorized which are needed to carry out the intent of the act. The decrease of $8 million represents the unobligated balance which was brought forward in fiscal year 1966.

2. The decrease of $15 million for the work-study program is attributed to the phasing out of the program as the Neighborhood Youth Corps program gradually assumes responsibility.

3. The requested $3,500,000 will be used to begin a program of residential Vocational schools on a demonstration basis authorized by the Vocational Education Act of 1963.

4. In order to provide for additional vocational student loans to meet the expected increase in new borrowers in 1967 will require increases of $175,000 for the insurance reserve fund and $675,000 for interest payments on the loans. The $50,000 decrease reflects a transfer of this amount of the "Student loan insurance fund.”

[blocks in formation]

An amount of $209,741,000 is requested for fiscal year 1967 for grants to States to extend and broaden vocational education as contemplated by the Vocational Education Act of 1963.

The maximum authorization of $49,991,000 is requested for fiscal year 1967 for grants to States under the George-Barden Act. This represents the same amount appropriated in fiscal year 1966. This authorization includes $15 million for area vocational programs, now a permanent authorization under the George-Barden Act; $29,311,000 for allotment to States for vocational education in agriculture, the distributive occupations, home economics and trades and industry; $5 million for practical nurse training; $375,000 for the fishery trades; $80,000 for Guam; $80,000 for American Samoa; and $145,000 for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

It is anticipated that the States will continue to use their allotments for the purposes stated above. However, the Vocational Education Act of 1963 provides that amounts not needed for these purposes may be reallotted for other purposes or to other States. Greatly increased flexibility will thus permit maximum utilization of available funds.

60-302-66-11

The Vocational Education Act of 1963 authorizes $225 million for fiscal year 1967, of which 10 percent shall be used for research and special project activities. An amount of $202,500,000 is authorized for grants to States for persons who are attending high school, who have left high school, who need training or retraining for employment stability, and who are academically or socioeconomically handicapped; and for construction of area school facilities and certain ancillary services such as teacher training and supervised and State administration and leadership. This estimate proposes maintenance of the program at the 1966 level of $159,750,000.

Based upon the actual number of students served under vocational educational programs in the past, the projection of enrollments from 1964 to 1970 is as follows:

[blocks in formation]

The availability of funds for construction under the Vocational Education Act of 1963 will materially speed up the Nation's efforts to meet the needs for greatly enlarged vocational and technical education offerings. State projections indicate approximately 1,400 area vocation-technical schools will be built by 1975, costing more than $1.2 billion.

The demands for vocational training and retraining at the high school level, the post high school level and for adults, will continue in proportion to the availability of new facilities and program funds for all occupational training.

The major impact on the program during the next 10 years will be the initiation of needed construction and the provision of initial equipment. State projections indicate that about 40 percent of the allotments to the States will be used for constructing and equipping schools in fiscal year 1966.

During fiscal year 1965 the States invested $21⁄2 for every Federal dollar appropriated under provisions of the Vocational Education Act of 1963. State projections indicate that funds provided by local bond issues, State appropriations, and other sources will increase the States' investment to an estimated $31⁄2 for every Federal dollar appropriated in fiscal year 1967.

Local communities in many parts of the country are showing intense interest in area school facilities and have approved bond issues for construction of area schools. Fifteen State legislatures have appropriated funds both for construction and operation, and in other States the boards of vocational education have approved plans for expansion of vocational education facilities. In many areas existing facilities in high schools and junior colleges are being used to establish area programs. In some instances, vocational-technical facilities have been filled to capacity after 1 year's operation.

Research and special project activities (grants, subsidies, and

contributions):

1966 estimate_
1937 estimate..

Increase___

$17,750, 000 17, 750, 000

An amount of $17,750,000 requested for 1967 represents 10 percent of the sums requested under section 2 as authorized under section 4 (c) of the Vocational Education Act of 1963. This is the same amount which is available in 1966 for research, demonstration, and training grants to examine and improve vocational education activities.

The problems of a rapidly changing technology and the resultant industrial reorganization and changing job composition, intensified social and economic developments, and an expanding and changing work force have resulted in the need for increased Federal support of research in vocational education.

In

order to provide this support the vocational education research program has been organized into seven areas of concern: curriculum development, patterns for State and local organization and administration, personnel recruitment and development, personal and social significance of work, occupational information and career choice processes, adult vocational education, and program evaluation. The requested $17,750,000 for fiscal year 1967 will be used to strengthen the Vocational education capabilities in each of the seven areas with emphasis on the needs of young people from economically depressed communities who have academic, socioeconomic or other handicaps which prevent them from qualifying for or succeeding as full-time workers. Approximately $6,300,000 will be used for continuation costs of projects begun in fiscal years 1965 and 1966, and about $11,450,000 will support the initiation of new research. A summary of the numbers of grants received and funded in 1965 and estimates for 1966 and 1967 follows:

[blocks in formation]

The following examples are significant research projects supported during 1965 and 1966:

Research information on occupational training and its results, Bureau of Social Science Research

The effectiveness of vocational and related education can be measured by examining the work histories, wages, career stability, and changes of vocational school graduates as compared with academic graduates, high school dropouts, and other identifiable groups of young people. This project represents a first step in developing this kind of information. It will investigate currently available data and determine the gaps in such information and will serve as a stepping stone from which to identify means for filling these information gaps. Learning laboratory to teach basic skills in a culturally deprived area, Dade County public schools

A group of 275 culturally disadvantaged students with specifiable problems will be assigned to a learning laboratory. Work in the learning laboratory will include basic education courses, required remedial reading or speech therapy, intensive vocational guidance, and a series of enrichment experiences outside of the classroom. In addition, the laboratory will be furnished with attractive furniture, books, plants, pictures, and other kinds of materials and equipment not generally available in an average school serving a culturally disadvantaged population. Further, the laboratory will be open for student use from early in the morning until 9 p.m. at night. The progress and achievement of this group of students will be compared with that of a similar group who do not have access to the laboratory.

Computer-assisted instruction in technical education, Pennsylvania State Uni versity

This project provides support for the development of curriculum materials to be used in computer assisted instruction of post high school students. It will cover the subject areas of mathematics, engineering science, and writing and reading skills as they relate to technical education. The instructional materials will be tested to measure how well the individual student does when using computer assisted instruction for purposes of measuring not only the individual response but the effectiveness of the materials developed. In addition, graduate students assisting in the project will receive training in the use of the various machines and related procedures involved in computer assisted instruction. Vocational guidance and counseling guidelines for summer workshops, George Washington University

A conference was held of key vocational guidance and counseling leaders throughout the United States. The purpose was to develop guidelines for the inservice training of vocational counselors. Changing technology, ways of acquiring up-to-date occupational information, new knowledge in the field of

human and interpersonal relations, were among the priority subject areas which received attention. The guidelines developed as a result of this conference will be the basis for workshops during the summer and the school year for use throughout the country for updating the skills of vocational guidance counselors. Grants to States under Appalachian Regional Development Act of

1965 (grants, subsidies, and contributions):

1966 estimate.. 1967 estimate..

Increase__

$8, 000, 000

8, 000, 000

The request for $8 million in fiscal year 1967 represents the second half of the full authorization of $16 million for area vocational school construction under the provisions of the Appalachian Regional Redevelopment Act of 1965. The full authorization, with matching State funds, will provide facilities for 6,000 trainees at any one time. One project in the State of Georgia has been approved by the Appalachian Regional Commission with an allocation of $544,000 of Federal funds. It is anticipated that the initial appropriation of $8 million will be allocated during fiscal year 1966, and that architectural planning, site acquisition, and construction for most projects will be underway by July 1, 1966. The $8 million requested in fiscal year 1967 will permit the completion of vocational facilities projected by the States and approved by the Appalachian Regional Commission under the total authorization of $16 million included in the act. Work-study programs (object class 41):

1966 estimate...

1967 estimate___

Decrease_..

$25, 000, 000

10, 000, 000

-15, 000, 000

The purpose of the work-study program is to provide part-time employment to students attending vocational education courses. Allotments to States are based upon populations in the 15-to-20-year age group. The law requires State matching funds during fiscal year 1967, equal to 25 percent of the total State's expenditure.

Although broad-scale efforts are being made to improve the economic position of minority groups, those living in depressed areas, and those whose skills have been displaced by economic progress, much needs to be done to help school children who are unable to continue their studies without financial help.

A total of 15,000 needy students participated in the work-study program during fiscal year 1965, approximately 27 percent of this number participated in the special summer work-study program designed to help these students earn funds to return to school and continue their vocational training.

During fiscal year 1966, with $25 million available for the work-study program, it is expected that approximately 85,100 needy students will be provided employment to assist them in continuing their studies and complete their academic and vocational training. Reports from States indicate that the workstudy program has had a very beneficial effect toward reducing the large number of school dropouts.

Funds requested for fiscal year 1967 will provide support for approximately 35,000 students. The program will eventually phase out as the Neighborhood Youth Corps program gradually assumes responsibility.

Residential vocational schools (grants, subsidies, and contributions):

1966 estimate__

1967 estimate..

Increase___

$3,500, 000

3, 500, 000

Funds are requested in the amount of $3,500,000 to implement the authorization contained in the Vocational Education Act of 1963 (sec. 14) which permits the Commissioner of Education to make grants for residential vocational schools.

These funds will permit grants for initial planning and architectural fees for seven residential vocational schools. They will provide opportunities for effective experimental, demonstration, and evaluation of the residential school concept. The schools will be located in the following locations: Atlanta, Ga., Okmulgee, Okla., Philadelphia, Pa., St. Louis, Mo., San Diego, Calif., Ashland, Ky., and Washington, D.C.

« PreviousContinue »