Something Better

Today's Vocational Technical School
March / April 2001 Issue

Remember the days when many thought vocational technical school-Votech-was a dead-end program for students who didn't plan to go to college? These programs once had the reputation of serving students who had lower academic skills and lower aspirations. Although these perceptions were not always accurate in "the old days," they certainly don't fit today's picture of vocational technical schools.

St. Louis' Special School District vocational technical schools have more to offer than ever before. With nationally certified programs and top-notch instructors, these schools serve as important stepping stones to higher education opportunities and careers. Students at Special School District's three technical schools study aeronautical technology, carpentry, electronics technology, hotel/motel operations, laboratory technology, culinary arts and much more.

High standards and links with area colleges
Several programs offer high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while they receive hands-on training in their respective fields. That means raising the bar on standards. In many cases, programs have achieved validation through national leaders in the respective areas of industry.

In Special District NEA member Joe Guasto's carpentry program (West Technical High School), students complete two years at the technical school and earn six hours of college credit. They then can go to a post-secondary technical school, a carpenters' joint apprenticeship program or a four-year university engineering program. Guasto, a master carpenter himself, has developed a comprehensive carpentry program certified by the Associated General Contractors of America. Only a few high schools in the state have achieved such recognition.

Carla Hegre, another SDNEA member and an instructor at South Technical High School, has taught computer information systems and currently teaches Cisco certified network administration. Both programs offer links to higher education opportunities.

"When students get through the two-year Cisco program here, they are ready for year three in the community college program," Hegre says. "In the computer information systems program, students can earn up to 18 college credit hours. This is a wonderful opportunity for students. People can pay tuition and take these same courses at private institutions, but our students can get the same education in high school for free."

Hegre estimates that 75 percent of the students she teaches enroll in college programs once they've completed their technical training in high school.

Students enrolled in the food preparation and service program at West Technical High School earn up to seven college credit hours for their high school training. This program is the second program in Missouri to earn validation by the American Culinary Federation.

Industry driven programs
The key to success in technical programs, Guasto says, is industry support. Successful programs are designed in collaboration with industry professionals. It helps build the links necessary for employability of graduates. In the carpentry program, for instance, industry is demanding the high level skills and looks to the school for quality students interested in furthering careers in carpentry.

"The phone starts ringing in April," Guasto says.

Changing enrollment
Over the past 15 years, enrollment in St. Louis area vocational technical schools has remained relatively stable while the population in St. Louis County public schools has increased. Education leaders in the district believe the flat attendance rates are connected to the public's lack of information about the quality programs Special School District delivers in these schools.

Special School District came into existence in the late fifties, and countywide vocational programming was added to the district's mission by a vote of the people in the mid 1960s.

"Our goal now is to educate the community on the outstanding programs we're delivering so we can fill our schools with topnotch students who, along with their families, understand the educational and career benefits of vocational education," says Mary Buttice, Special District NEA president.

By Debra Angstead,
MNEA Communications Director