CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION IN FLORIDA Presentation to The Council of 100 November 4, 2004

Fifth Wheel of Education System Has been heavy emphasis in state policy on going to a four-year college Career-technical education (i.e. Vo-Tech) has had a negative perception among students, parents and others – Students assumed to be less well-qualified than so-called academic track students – Courses typically taught at separate locations – separate from academic track schools

Career Guidance – Lack of adequate staffing in many high schools to provide advice to students as to career paths and educational alternatives On average, student to counselor ratios of more than 350 to 1. Marketing – Provide information to highlight opportunities for students to consider – Offset the historic stigma of vocational training Shortage of Needed Information

Decline in State Funding State support for adult and career education programs has declined by 6% in recent years, while funding for academic programs at colleges and universities has increased on the order of 30%. 0%

Postsecondary Career Education State Funding History Funding for Postsecondary Career Education has decreased 6% since

Career and Professional Education – Long Term Goals All students graduating from high school with high levels of both academic and career skills. More graduates continuing their education and training in postsecondary institutions, both career-technical and academic programs. More high skill, high wage knowledge workers to attract greater economic development to the State.

Meets the Needs of Students Career education programs play a pivotal role in meeting the needs of the 6 out of 10 ninth graders who either drop out or do not enter immediately into college or university programs. This equates to 150,000 students each year. SIX WOULD BENEFIT FROM CAREER-TECHNICAL TRAINING

Meets the Needs of Employers Over 80% of the growth in jobs requiring a high school diploma will require some additional education – but not a bachelors degree. Projected Job Growth through 2010 (Jobs Requiring a HS Diploma)

Overall Goal All students will graduate from high school – fully capable of entering and being successful in either the workplace, further career and professional education, or postsecondary degree programs.

Who Benefits? Our Students Our Economy The Quality of our Society This area is essential for Floridas businesses because they must have high quality employees – nonetheless, it has not been a major focus of any major business lobbying groups.

High quality programs for all students in all high schools Lack of such skills is a critical barrier to entry into high wage, high skill occupations General education track does not provide adequate skills for entry into the workplace What do high schools need?

Contact Information CEPRI Contacts William B. Proctor, Executive Director Staff Assigned to Workforce and Career Education Tara Goodman, Policy Director Juan Copa, Policy Director CEPRI Web Address