Council on Vocational Education records, 1969-1996

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Summary

Creators:
Council on Vocational Education
Abstract:
The record group consists of 5 cubic feet of textual records from the Council on Vocational Education, 1967 to 1996. The record group is organized into the following series: Agendas, Correspondence, Council Files, Minutes, and Reports. This collection will interest researchers concerned with vocational and technical education and job training.
Extent:
5 cubic feet
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English

Background

Scope and content:

The record group consists of 5 cubic feet of textual records from the Council on Vocational Education, 1967 to 1996. The record group is organized into the following series: Agendas, Correspondence, Council Files, Minutes, and Reports.

This collection will interest researchers concerned with vocational and technical education and job training. The materials document the coordination of statewide vocational education, including such programs as the high school Regional Occupation Program as well as various local vocational education programs in high schools and colleges. The council constantly grappled with coordinating local school districts, colleges, universities, and state law. Funding proved to be a major source of tension as the council worked to ensure that the various vocational education programs received an equitable amount of funds. The Legislature tasked the council with ensuring that funds would go to the local programs and that local agencies spent the monies properly.

During the period covered by the record group, the council continually sought a strategy to combat high school administrators' declining interest in vocational education throughout the state. The council frequently warned against undervaluing such education. Another task for the council was to provide minorities, women, single parents, and poor students with equal access to job training programs. The agendas and minutes series provide a continuous source of discussion of such topics as funding, local program evaluations, legislation, and administrative details. The reports, correspondence, and council files were more limited but highlight important issues confronting the council, such as Proposition 13 and periods of reduced funding for vocational education. According to a former council president in 1996, the council focused on assisting "in the down-sizing of our government," but the council remained committed to maintaining an "autonomous body that advises and recommends and provides oversight for statewide vocational education."

Biographical / historical:

The Council on Vocational Education became a state agency in 1969 with AB1820 (Chapter 1555, Statutes of 1969). Several previous attempts to bring California into accordance with the Vocational Education Amendments of 1968 (Public Law 90-576), an amendment to the Vocational Education Act of 1963, were either vetoed or died in a legislative committee. These previous attempts included AB23 (1968 Session), AB1268 (1968 Session), and AB42 (1969 Session). The council existed to maintain the statewide vocational education program and because the United States Congress required states to coordinate their efforts as a requirement to receiving federal funds. The council published reports analyzing the status of statewide vocational education and evaluating the California's efforts in administering funds and coordinating the local programs. The council's primary purpose was to facilitate the creation of a highly educated and technically proficient work force.

The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act (Public Law 98-524) of 1984 required that the council produce biennial reports evaluating the status of statewide vocational education. The state responded with AB257 (Chapter 164, Statutes of 1985). This law enacted new requirements, which allowed the council to comply with federal law while expanding the council's scope to include public commentary and a more active role managing vocational education through producing reports measuring the effectiveness of individual programs. The council consisted of thirteen members as of 1985 and the governor appointed each member. The council met and coordinated with the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges in managing statewide vocational education. Initiating and maintaining connections between secondary and post-secondary educators proved constantly important. High school programs under the council's purview included the Future Farmers of America, Future Business Leaders of America, the Regional Occupational Program, and Future Homemakers of America. In 1996, funds from the Perkins Act no longer went to the council. According to the state budget, the council ended in March 1997.

Acquisition information:
The California State Archives acquired the Council on Vocational Education Records according to state law.
Accruals:

No further accruals are expected.

Physical location:
California State Archives
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
1020 "O" Street
Sacramento, CA 95814, US
Contact:
(916) 653-2246
reference@sos.ca.gov
Website