The New Vocational School

by R. Renee Setari, Graduate Student, Department of Family Sciences, University of Kentucky

The job world has changed in recent years. Employers are no longer looking for students with "one-size-fits-all" degrees, but instead are looking to hire those with specific skills. With the cost of tuition climbing at four-year colleges, students are anxious to make sure their degrees will be worth their investments of time and money. Meanwhile, a high school in New York is helping its students obtain hirable skills faster and cheaper.

Using a new curriculum, Pathways to Technology Early College High School ("P-Tech" for short) allows students to graduate with associate's degrees. The program fuses high school and technical college into a six-year curriculum. Traditional coursework is offered, but many of the courses prepare students for entry-level IT positions that will offer a yearly salary of around $40,000. Much of the coursework was developed in conjunction with technology company IBM which will give P-Tech graduates preference for future job openings.

Due to the success of P-Tech, more states are considering opening their own six-year vocational high schools. The Obama Administration has even recommended that more funding be allotted to such schools, as this is an investment in the future. Their growing popularity is due to how these schools provide skills that are needed in today's job market. Another benefit is that students will be employable and free from student loans upon graduation.

READERS, what do you think?

Do you think these six-year vocational schools are a good idea?

Does vocational education seem right for you?

Reference:

Baker, A. (2012, October 21). At technology high school, goal isn't to finish in 4 years. New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/22/nyregion/pathways-in-technology-early-college-high-school-takes-a-new-approach-to-vocational-education.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha26_20121022&_r=0.