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Inventory of the California State Council on Vocational Education Records
R368
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Table of contents
Title: Council on Vocational Education records
Dates: 1969-1996
Collection number: R368
Creator:
Council on Vocational Education
Collection Size:
5 cubic feet
Repository:
California State Archives
Sacramento, California
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.
Physical location: California State Archives
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.
For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication
is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility
for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives
collections.
[Identification of item], Council on Vocational Education Records, R368.[series number], [box and folder number], California
State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Sacramento, California.
The California State Archives acquired the Council on Vocational Education Records according to state law.
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.
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."
No further accruals are expected.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
California State Council on Vocational Education
Vocational education
Occupational training