CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION AT THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY. FINAL REPORT

THE CENTER WAS ESTABLISHED MARCH 1, 1965, TO PERFORM RESEARCH, DEVELOP PILOT PROJECTS, AND ENCOURAGE EXPERIMENTAL ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION. THE ERIC CLEARINGHOUSE FOR VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION WAS ESTABLISHED MARCH 1, 1966, AS PART OF THE CENTER. THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CENTER ARE TO (1) CONTINUALLY REAPPRAISE VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION'S ROLE, (2) STIMULATE STATE, REGIONAL, AND NATIONAL RESEARCH, (3) ENCOURAGE RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT, (4) CONDUCT RESEARCH, (5) UPGRADE LEADERSHIP, (6) PROVIDE A NATIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEM, AND (7) PROVIDE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE PLANNING FOREIGN SERVICE. AN INDEPENDENT FEDERALLY SUPPORTED UNIT OF THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, THE CENTER HAS SOUGHT ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM FOUNDATIONS AND OTHER SOURCES TO FURTHER DEVELOP ITS PROGRAM. A 19-MEMBER NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS IN IDENTIFYING PROBLEMS, ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES, IDENTIFYING RESOURCES, DEVELOPING COORDINATION AND COOPERATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES, INSTITUTIONS, AND PROGRAMS, AND EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CENTER. THE STAFF IS COMPRISED OF SPECIALISTS IN VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SUPPORTING AREAS AND SUSTAINING PERSONNEL. AMONG THE 28 PROJECTS ACCOMPLISHED OR IN PROGRESS ARE CLINICS, SEMINARS, TRAINING SESSIONS, CONFERENCES, INSTITUTES, RESEARCH STUDIES, RESEARCH REVIEWS, AND SURVEYS CONCERNED WITH ADMINISTRATION, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, RESEARCH, LEADERSHIP, EVALUATION, INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS, INFORMATION RETRIEVAL, DROPOUTS, DISADVANTAGED YOUTH, TEACHERS AND COOPERATIVE EDUCATION IN THE FIELDS OF GUIDANCE, BUSINESS, HOME ECONOMICS, HEALTH OCCUPATIONS, AGRICULTURE, TRADES AND INDUSTRY, DISTRIBUTIVE, AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION. (JM)