Kathleen Vail notes in an article published by the American School Board Journal that vocational or technical schools were once considered to be appropriate only for high school students that were not academically proficient. Today, career academies or career and technical education programs in high school have an entirely different image among students and parents. One of Vail's main arguments is that these programs were once considered to be a dumping ground for slow students, and are now considered to be highly desirable by parents and students.
Vail provides as background information about how the current high school technical education programs no longer use a one-size-fits-all approach. These programs can take various forms based on the needs of school districts, communities, local employers, and students. The most common types of career and technical schools in the United States are career academies. Vail takes time to define a career academy is a small learning community in a high school that focuses on career paths that can lead students to careers or to higher education.
Another key point made by Vail is those vocational education programs are no longer considered to be the dumping ground for unmotivated students and troublemakers. After years of being considered second-rate, career academies and technical education programs have gone high-tech. As a result, current technical education now finds itself in the center stage high school reform across America.
According to Vail, these programs are intended to make high school more relevant to students and this plan is working. Talking to students about career paths early can keep students interested in school, motivated and focused. Part of the success of these programs involves a change in perception among students and parents. Ten years ago, or even five years ago, college-bound students would never consider taking a vocational education...