Persuasive Essay On Vocational Education

In society today, a college education is often seen as a “the next step” in a young adult’s life. Whether they actually know what they would like to earn a degree in, they feel the need to continue their education as almost everyone around them is pursuing post-secondary education of some sort. It is often argued that a college education is not necessary to get ahead because of the manufacture based workforce that is up and coming in America, however, there are many benefits to having a post-secondary education such as a higher rate of pay and more job opportunities.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) or “vocational education” provides preparation and skill building for careers. Some high school students will enter the workforce without additional training, but many will receive secondary CTE professional certifications. The goal of CTE is to connect students with growing industries in the American economy and give them the skills and training required for long-term success. However, little is known about CTE. Therefore, students lack access to high-quality secondary CTE.

Mike Rose has a long list of acclimations and credentials. He is a publisher, a professor, and “has won awards from the National Academy of Education, the National Council of Teachers of English, and the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.” The fact that he is a successful writer and teacher, and clearly has experience in the education system greatly increases his credibility. From the small background section on Rose in the beginning, the reader knows that the author is qualified to state his claim on this subject, because he is a well educated and well respected man. This is made even more clear through his writing. The premise of Rose’s essay is delivered as a narrative. This is his most fundamental approach in developing his claim. In his essay, he is essentially addressing two audiences; directly addressing those who have experienced the vocational track, and informing those who have not. He is able to relate to both audiences because he was placed into and “remained in the vocational track for two years,” and then was later recommended to “begin his junior year in the College Prep program.” His first hand experience in each educational program

Career and Technical Education, from a historical standpoint, was intended to prepare students for entry-level jobs that did not require a bachelor degree (Fletcher, 2006, p 157). In fact, policy makers enacted The Vocational Act of 1963 which funded millions of dollars towards vocational courses that attempted to find solutions to social and economic problems in the nation (Fletcher, 2006, p 157). By enacting the policy, students will gain career skills that will give them more experience in their desired field of work or high academic studies. In addition, students transitioning from high to college will have a better idea of what degree they would like study as appose to prolonging their time in college and potential investing unnecessary

The first point Bok brings up in the vocational program is the fact that the students in vocational programs are focused on perfecting the competent skills needed in their career. This gives the students in the vocational program an advantage since they will graduate with the skills needed to “hit the ground running” and have a better chance than liberal arts students in acquiring a job. Bok mentions a downfall about vocational programs in which vocational focuses so much on the skills students don’t learn the essential traditional skills of college. Bok then continues on to give the liberal arts side of his perspective, in which he states, “The most important step that Arts and Sciences faculties can take is simply to do a better job of achieving the traditional goals of liberal education” (Derek Bok, 42). Bok believes the advantage of liberal arts is the key fact that students learn the abilities vocational students don’t such as communication, critical thinking, problem solving, self-discipline, creativity, and human relation skills. The two disadvantages Bok mentions is that liberal arts students will have a more difficult time acquiring a job during the first ten years of work compared to vocational students and liberal arts professors disregard the need to teach skills that will be learned on the job. Bok has a neutral point

Vocational schools typically offer relatively short, career-focused programs that quickly prepare graduates for the workforce. Vocational schools tend to cost considerably less than most colleges, take less time, are easier to go to if one is an adult, and teach one a specific job function. With a technical school one will spend more time in a practical, laboratory environment learning the skills of a job rather than spending one's time in a classroom. Although, there are also disadvantages to a technical school, this type of schooling can be perceived as less rigorous and less prestigious than a college education. Because vocational schools programs are so study focus, one will not necessarily learn other skills such as writing or critical thinking, which are both very important.

In a review of research, Boesel et al. (1994) noted that descriptive findings indicated that vocational students were less likely than general students to drop out (if more likely than academic students). However, students who defined themselves as vocational students in 12th rather than 9th grade in a follow-up survey or who were defined by having a vocational concentration were often much less likely to drop out than

Education is what initially builds us and sets us apart from others. In “I Just Wanna Be Average” by Mike Rose, vocational education “a euphemism for the bottom level” is what set Mike Rose and his classmates apart from the rest of the school. Vocational Education seemed to affect Mike Rose in a negative and positive way. From the negative experiences he went through with his teachers and the low perspective others had of the “vocational track and their students” to the positive outcomes of how having other teachers that care for him and his education and only want what is best for him and his future.

“Misconception No.1: A liberal arts education is a luxury that most families can no longer afford. ‘Career-education’ is what we must now focus on.” (Ungar, 2010, pp.191) As Ungar has claimed, there is a recent misconception that a liberal arts education is no longer a necessity but luxury because it doesn’t provide an instant career launching education. With so many people having to a need to spend as little money as possible, they are determined to only spend money on preparation for their future career. For this reason they go to college only to take courses that are necessary for their future. “She is in college to take vocational training. She wants to write computer code. Start a business. Get a job in television. She uses college to take vocational courses that pertain to her career interest.” (Murray, 2008, pp.228) Murray explained the story of a girl who is in college solely for preparation for her career. Because of this, she isn’t interested in a liberal arts education. If the course doesn’t directly pertain to her desired career, she prefers not to take it.

Many would argue that sports have a greater importance compared to the arts. Not only this, but many would say that art is not important enough to have a place in public schooling. However, those who have this mindset do not understand the countless amount of benefits that arts education has in an everyday student's life. Art education refers to education in music, dance, the visual arts, and theater. The engagement of students in the arts are essential to every student's educational career. However art programs always seem to come short in funding and this can later negatively impacts a student’s academic career. Budget cuts would be defined as the act of reducing budgeted expenditures. Budget cuts can come about due to a decreasing amount of money used to split among various school programs. The board members of school districts are constantly trying to get more resources. However, in the end, there is not enough money to cover for so many teachers, supplies, and programs. As budget cuts arise, the arts are almost always immediately targeted. The budget cuts would cut down funds for art supplies, musical instruments, and art teachers. In addition to funds that order to hire art organizations for programs which provide arts education services for students. Many public schools are struggling with budget cuts, resulting in the continued elimination of art programs across school districts throughout the nation. Due to budget constraints, fewer schools offer art classes today. Due to the fact that arts education is infrequently seen as a number one priority in public schools, there is little funding put into place and because of the diminishing amount of art programs, students are being deprived of the benefits that arts education can provide for them academically and non-academically.

Vocational Education has been around throughout history in ways that were not noticed as a trending way for education. After the wars, families were self-sustained through personal knowledge and self-learned skills needed to survive. As society, advanced, newer, more efficient ways of completing tasks and learning took place, to include assistance outside the home, so families could better provide for itself. It was through these advancements that paved the way to vocational education as we know it today. There has been

Parents push their children to have more academic jobs and majors to improve their child's “status.” But when a student with high academic achievement chooses to have a vocational style job it is seen as unfortunate or even a waste of genius and intellect. Students should have the opportunity to be trained in whatever careers they want, even if it is a more vocational job like a trade instead of an academic job. If these students find these vocational jobs more meaningful than any academic job they should have the right to choose them because of their pursuit of happiness.

Now a days there’s a lot of pressure for high school graduates to further their education by attending college. Hard evidence states that more high school graduates attend college immediately after graduation compared to any other generation. However, college may seem more of a challenge to some rather than others whom may “need” vocational school. Getting an education is important but some say college isn’t for everyone. In the article “What’s Wrong with Vocational School?” Charles Murray says that not every student is mentally suitable for college and vocational school would prepare them for the vigorous academic demands that come along with college. To critically analyze if this argument is effective

Vocational training is the primary motivation to enter a profession which gives you the opportunity to start work and

Another great choice for those returning to school are vocational schools, sometimes referred to as trade schools, which offer training in specific skills. These skills can be added to a degree that has already been obtained or used by themselves. They are often times a good choice for those who do not wish to work an office or wish to further their abilities at a manual labor job. Vocational schools offer training in many different areas such as auto mechanic, or one can be trained in the technical field to become IT support personnel. These schools are not only geared toward those who wish to perfect their talents and find a job they will love, but those students who are gifted in a certain trade and would do better in life if they were able