Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange
Abstract
Under the provisions of the Smith-Hughes Act and supplementary acts comprehensive program of vocational education have been developed. Although much has been accomplished, existing programs need to be expanded and new programs developed if vocational education is to be made available to all who can profit from the instruction. Vocational education does not take the place of general academic education, but rather supplements and enhances it for students who want specific training for a chosen occupation. Vocational education is an important part of a well-balanced school program and aims at developing competent economically, socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually and in a civic sense. The percentage of unskilled workers required in the labor force is steadily declining: the percentage of skilled and semi-skilled worker is increasing. It is very important that the vocational education offered be based on the specific manpower needs of the nation. As these needs change, the program of vocational education must be adapted to meet the changes. This makes it necessary to continue changing vocational education programs by the adaptation of curriculums, courses, equipment, teacher education, the elimination of obsolete programs and the addition of new programs. Program planning can be used effectively by teachers, educators, in the modification of vocational education today and in its further development in the years ahead. This study is designed to discover the revisions and additions that are needed in the vocational curriculums of South Dakota, so that youth may be better prepared for employment. The response as reported by school administrators and teachers are appraised and compared as to the effectiveness of the vocational educations programs as they function in South Dakota