Vocational Opportunities Integrated in Current Education. Final Report

The objectives of the three-year Vocational Opportunities Integrated in Current Education (VOICE) project, carried on in the San Antonio Independent School District, were to develop and implement a career development and occupational awareness model program for elementary through senior high school students, to add dignity to the world of vocational occupations, and to help students relate academic subjects to occupational requirements. Special focus of the VOICE program was toward underachieving students with language difficulties (bilingual) and socioeconomic disadvantages who would be non-college bound and possible school dropouts. At the elementary and junior high school levels, project efforts were directed toward career awareness for students and teachers, while at the senior high school level, efforts were to provide saleable skills for graduating students, a vocational guidance counselor at each high school, and placement services for graduates. One of the outstanding characteristics of the VOICE program was the involvement of people from outside the school system, families of students, and the local business community. Third party evaluators felt VOICE was an effective model, as its concepts were incorporated into district schools, and that it created change in the thinking of the Mexican-American community. About half of the document is devoted to appendixes. (EA)