Preparing the Workforce of Tomorrow: A Conceptual Framework for Career and Technical Education.

Abstract

.................................................................................................................................................v In Search of a Conceptual Framework: Clarification and Purpose....................................................1 Historical Traditions and Views Toward Vocational Education .......................................................5 Role of Federal Legislation in the Nature and Scope of Vocational Education .........................5 Philosophic Perspectives of Career and Technical Education .................................................. 10 Impact of Educational Reform Efforts, 1980s–1990s, on Vocational Education .......................... 13 First Wave of School Reform ..................................................................................................... 13 Second Wave of School Reform................................................................................................. 15 Notions of the “New Economy”........................................................................................................ 17 Constructing a Conceptual Framework ............................................................................................ 21 What Does a Contemporary Conceptual Framework Entail? ................................................... 21 General Assumptions................................................................................................................... 22 Past Conceptual Frameworks ..................................................................................................... 23 Current (and Future) State of Career and Technical Education ...................................................... 27 Curriculum.................................................................................................................................... 27 Instruction/Delivery Options....................................................................................................... 33 Student Assessment ..................................................................................................................... 41 Clientele........................................................................................................................................ 42 Program Evaluation ..................................................................................................................... 45 Summary, Conclusions, and Future Steps in Refining a Conceptual Framework for Career and Technical Education ................................................................................................. 47 Outline of Conceptual Framework for Career and Technical Education................................. 47 Implications for Career and Technical Teacher Education and Teacher Education Programs............................................................................................................... 49 Role of Teacher Educators .......................................................................................................... 52 Final Words .................................................................................................................................. 53 References .......................................................................................................................................... 55 Endnotes ............................................................................................................................................. 65 Preparing the Workforce of Tomorrow iv National Dissemination Center for Career and Technical Education List of Figures Figure 1. Timeline indicating federal legislation and educational reform initiatives that have affected the purpose(s) of career and technical education..........................6 Figure 2. Alternative philosophies for career and technical education........................................... 12 Figure 3. Conceptual framework for career and technical education ............................................. 22 Figure 4. Curricular emphases when considering instructional and institutional focus for career and technical education: competing or compatible goals? .............................................................. 68