Vocational Act 1244 By Morgan Ruff Principals and History of Vocational Education.

What is Act 1244? The Vocational Act 1244 was passed on April 17, The Vocational Act 1244 was passed on April 17, Act 1244 allowed 14 of Arkansas postsecondary technical or vocational schools to become “technical colleges” Act 1244 allowed 14 of Arkansas postsecondary technical or vocational schools to become “technical colleges”

According to Dr. Gerald Fisher President of Garland County Community College 30% of Arkansas college population are missing because they do not have access to college level education. Why? Most are bound to a community do to their job family responsibilities, or simply do not have the money to attend a 4 year institution.

Dr. Fisher believed we had 3 choices to make: “do nothing and continue to keep the 30,000 out of the public system, “do nothing and continue to keep the 30,000 out of the public system, retain the dual system and continue to build a duplicating set of institutions, retain the dual system and continue to build a duplicating set of institutions, bring the area vo-tech schools and two- year colleges together under an assertive State Coordinating Board to better utilize the existing institutions. bring the area vo-tech schools and two- year colleges together under an assertive State Coordinating Board to better utilize the existing institutions.

There were a few speed bumps along the path before Act 1244 was passed. Spring of 1990 attempts to join vo-tech schools and two-year colleges was not supported and thus failed. Spring of 1990 attempts to join vo-tech schools and two-year colleges was not supported and thus failed. This would soon change.

On April 10, 1990 the Arkansas Gazette ran an article that discussed 4 main issues: State Vocational Board’s endorsement of a new commission to award associate of applied science degrees State Vocational Board’s endorsement of a new commission to award associate of applied science degrees The Higher Education Board would approve this commission The Higher Education Board would approve this commission

Main Points Continued: It would be composed of current members of both the Vocational and Higher Education Board. It would be composed of current members of both the Vocational and Higher Education Board. The Arkansas Business Council was in support of changing some of our vocational schools to community colleges. The Arkansas Business Council was in support of changing some of our vocational schools to community colleges.

78 th General Assembly Bills were passed that not only created two- year technical colleges but also provided funding to make these changes and upgraded the current post-secondary vocational system.

Acts Passed at this time. Act 1244: Transferred 14 post-secondary vocational schools form the Department of Vocational Education to the Department of Higher Education. Act 1244: Transferred 14 post-secondary vocational schools form the Department of Vocational Education to the Department of Higher Education. Act 773: Discussed the expansion of course offerings at post-secondary schools that converted to technical colleges and added board members to the State Board of Vocational Education Act 773: Discussed the expansion of course offerings at post-secondary schools that converted to technical colleges and added board members to the State Board of Vocational Education

Acts Continued: Act 1052 Provided the money needed to covert vo-tech schools to community colleges. Act 1052 Provided the money needed to covert vo-tech schools to community colleges. These funds will come from a 1/2% increase in corporate income tax rate for any cooperation that makes more than $100,000 in a year. These funds will come from a 1/2% increase in corporate income tax rate for any cooperation that makes more than $100,000 in a year.

Acts Continued: Act 1246 allocated the actual disbursement of these funds through the Work Force 2000 Development Fund. Act 1246 allocated the actual disbursement of these funds through the Work Force 2000 Development Fund.

Questions about these acts: How long will it take for these schools to become community colleges? How long will it take for these schools to become community colleges? How will these schools offer courses such as fine arts, social studies, etc. How will these schools offer courses such as fine arts, social studies, etc. What are the qualifications required of its instructors? What are the qualifications required of its instructors? What type of degrees will these schools be able to confer on its students? What type of degrees will these schools be able to confer on its students?

Act 1244 provides for a six year time frame for all schools to make the change form technical schools to community colleges Act 1244 provides for a six year time frame for all schools to make the change form technical schools to community colleges They will have to contract with other two- year or four-year institutions to provide staff and classes on their campus. They will have to contract with other two- year or four-year institutions to provide staff and classes on their campus. Each staff member must have at least a Master’s Degree plus 18 hours of study in the discipline that they will be teaching. Each staff member must have at least a Master’s Degree plus 18 hours of study in the discipline that they will be teaching.

How did the passage of these acts benefit Arkansas students. It allowed for many people to attend college that normally would not have had the chance. How? How? By providing a location that is close to home. By offering classes at a fraction of the cost of a four year institution.

Compare ASU: $ per credit hour ASU: $ per credit hour U of A $ per credit hour U of A $ per credit hour Ozarka College: $50.00 per credit hour Ozarka College: $50.00 per credit hour Mountain Home Technical College which later join with ASU to become Arkansas State University Mt. Home Technical College in 1993: $68.00 per credit hour. Mountain Home Technical College which later join with ASU to become Arkansas State University Mt. Home Technical College in 1993: $68.00 per credit hour.