DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR AND HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1977

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1976

U.S. SENATE.

SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS,

Washington, D.C.

The subcommittee met at 10:05 a.m., in room S-128, the Capitol, Hon John C. Stennis, presiding.

Present: Senators Stennis and Chiles.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE

NONDEPARTMENTAL WITNESSES

AMERICAN VOCATIONAL ASSOCIATION

STATEMENT OF LOWELL A. BURKETT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AMERICAN VOCATIONAL ASSOCIATION, WASHINGTON, D.C.

OPENING REMARKS OF SENATOR STENNIS

Senator STENNIS. All right, our subcommittee will please come to order, and I have a brief statement. We have changed the order of proceeding just a little, and we will hear first from the American Vocational Association, an organization that has done a commendable job of representing vocational education interests, both here and in Washington, and at the state and local level. That is a broad compliment to you, but if I had been drawing it myself, that is what I would have said because I am close enough to your work to know that.

Now, our subcommittee has always been supportive of the goals of vocational education. Quite frankly, we are concerned over the face of the program. The legislation for all but the basic State grant position has expired, and obviously we are under very tight time constraints to enact the appropriations.

I say what I emphasize there because of not what someone told me, but I go to a number of these programs in my home State, go there and ask them to be interrupted a few minutes, and we talk to the ne that are taking the training, shake hands with some of the them in the face, and find middle-aged people and beyond co and applying themselves to these programs with everything

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They tell you they want to, they are underemployed, some are unemployed, and they tell you that they want to prepare for a job. It makes a good impression, and that is true with the youngsters, too. But I am glad to be here and get to hear your testimony, and you make it strong.

PREPARED STATEMENT

Is there any time limitation? All right, about 5 minutes. You could put all your statement in the record, if you do not mind, and then under the pressure of things here summarize it and emphasize it any way you see fit.

[The statement follows:]

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Sub-Committee:

This statement is presented for consideration by the Labor-HEW Appropriations Sub-Committee as it deliberates on federal appropriations for vocational education for FY 77. On behalf of the members of the American Vocational Association, I wish to express appreciation to the Senate and especially to the members of this sub-committee for the support given to vocational education. We realize your great concern for the continued development of vocational education in this Nation and we are making funding recommendations in light of this concern.

It is understood that Section 102 (b), Parts A, D, F, G, H, I and J of the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968 (PL 90-576) expired June 30, 1975 and are currently funded under the one-year extension provision of the General Education Provisions Act. There is, however, a continuing authorization provided for Basic Grants to States (Part B) and also for Vocational Education Research (Part C). Committees in the Senate and House are currently considering vocational education authorizing legislation. It is anticipated that a bill will be enacted soon to

continue federal support of those expiring programs and we will want to discuss a supplemental appropriation for vocational education with you at the proper time. However, given these circumstances, this statement addresses funding for Parts B and C of the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968

Vocational Education Research.

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Basic State Grants and

CURRENT SITUATION

There continues to be great interest in vocational education as the major delivery system for preparing the Nation's work force.

Enrollments of secondary

youth, adults in postsecondary institutions and adults seeking upgrading or retraining in their employment are increasing at a much greater rate now than at any previous time. The U.S. Office of Education, Bureau of Occupational and Adult Education has reported a total of 13,555,639 individuals in vocational education programs in FY 74. While actual enrollment figures for FY 76 are not yet available, the AVA projects current enrollment in vocational education to be approximately 16.4 million people. This projection is based on an annual increase ranging from 9-10%. Should the current growth rate continue, there will be approximately 17.5 million students enrolled in vocational education in FY 77. It is interesting to note that postsecondary enrollments are expanding more ra

pidly than any other group of students and also that adult enrollments in vocational education are increasing at 5-6% per year.

The following tables generally indicate the patterns seen in vocational education enrollments and emphasize the trend for vocational education to more adequately serve all individuals:

The U.S. Office of Education, Bureau of Occupational and Adult Education reports that enrollments in vocational education reflect significant attention to the disadvantaged and handicapped student. In FY 74 there were over 1.6 million disadvantaged students and over 200,000 handicapped individuals reported in the

vocational education enrollments.

While there continues to be a great need for

expansion in this as well as other target areas, we find state planning for vocational education very cognizant of the disadvantaged student as a result of the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968.

In 1968, the Congress expected that the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968 would cause programs to be more available for students at all levels and of all ages. In response to this, states have established approximately 2,500 area vocational centers. In addition, 1,800 community colleges and technical institutes offer a variety of vocational training programs and several thousand secondary schools report vocational programs and increasing student interest.

At

the present time the AVA studies indicate that 63 individuals out of every 1,000 population in the United States are enrolled in a vocational education program.

State and local funding for vocational education is continuing to be stimulated by federal funds. The investment of state and local dollars for vocational education in FY 74 was $5.43 to each federal dollar.

The federal

state and local partnership for vocational education funding has far exceeded expectations. Recently, recommendations have been made to reduce federal assistance in the face of this type of local support. It has been our experience, however, that greater federal funds will generate even more state and local support. With only 10% of the total United States population between the ages of 15 and 65 years enrolled in job training programs, we still have much to accomplish.

Vocational Education Research

At

In 1963 and again in 1968, vocational education legislation gave noticeable attention to the research and development component of vocational education. this time, it appears that continued research and development efforts are indispensable to the vocational education program. The catalytic effect of the research coordinating units has led to major changes within vocational education. In addition, the maintenance of a strong national program of research and development is vital to vocational education. Specifically, the national centers that

have contributed significantly to the improvement of vocational education should be strengthened. The programmatic research and development capabilities vested with vocational education have greatly improved the curriculum and the implementation of the program.

It is noted that the Administration has requested greatly increased funding for Vocational Education Research and recommended combining some innovative activities as well as curriculum development. While it is doubtful whether the authorizing legislation for Vocational Education Research is adequate to permit this, there appears to be some merit to the objective. With this in mind, it would seem appropriate to request the Senate to consider favorably the Administration's budget request of $53.5 million for an expanded concept of Vocational Education Research.