Survey of Cooperative Education Programs in Selected High Schools in Oregon
Survey of Cooperative Education Programs in Selected High Schools in Oregon

Author: Charles Edward Smith

Publisher:

Published: 1969

Total Pages: 418

ISBN-13:

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The purposes of this study were: (1) To attempt to determine how well programs of cooperative education are functioning in meeting the needs of pupils and the community through a survey of those programs in selected high schools in Oregon, and (2) To develop recommendations for improving cooperative education programs in secondary schools based on the findings of this survey. The survey utilized data secured from responses to questionnaires developed in two pilot runs and administered in twenty Oregon high schools to principals, teacher-coordinators, and students involved in cooperative education programs. Analysis of the responses resulted in the following findings: 1. A majority of the principals evaluated the program as worthwhile, and indicated that they encountered few problems in scheduling, awarding credits, financing, or operating the programs. 2. Responses from coordinators indicated that they were enthusiastic and optimistic about cooperative education. They expressed concern over time allotments for coordinating activities and the availability of work-training stations. 3. Student responses revealed that the great majority of the students approved of the program, and experienced little difficulty with scheduling related class instruction or with grades and credits. They expressed concern with the amount of time a coordinator could devote to on-job supervision, with student selection methods, and with the need for the program to be available for more students. Recommendations 1. Development of a model cooperative education program for all secondary school students. 2. Re-examination of the total vocational education program in order to develop an articulated program with a well-staffed adequately financed cooperative education program. 3. Suggestions for various methods of housing and operating cooperative education programs. 4. More attention to total staff orientation and involvement with the cooperative education program. 5. Some of the basic components of the teacher intern program techniques of organizing, staffing, and communicating be utilized in the cooperative education program.

A Comparative Study of Instructional Goals and Objectives for Selected Secondary Cooperative Work Experience Programs
A Comparative Study of Instructional Goals and Objectives for Selected Secondary Cooperative Work Experience Programs

Author: Thoyd O. Latham

Publisher:

Published: 1975

Total Pages: 546

ISBN-13:

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STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM The problem studied was whether there exist significant differences between the perceived knowledge obtained by former secondary cooperative work experience students as compared to the instructional goals and objectives of these programs as identified by the Oregon State Department of Education. THE PROCEDURE The problem as it is identified above was divided into three phases. The first phase was identification and classification of the instructional goals and objectives that the Oregon State Department of Education had established for secondary cooperative work experience programs. The second phase of this study was to verify that the eight Oregon secondary schools that participated in this study were in agreement with the instructional goals and objectives for cooperative work experience programs as had previously been identified. The third phase of this study was an investigation of the perceived opinions held by former students of Oregon secondary cooperative work experience programs about the actual effects the identified instructional goals and objectives have had. A mail survey questionnaire was used to gather the data. The sample for the study consisted of 80 males and 126 females who were seniors enrolled during the 1970-71 school year in a cooperative work experience program in the eight Oregon high schools agreeing to participate in this study. The F statistic was used to analyze contrast among the mean scores for each criterion variable statement with the .05 level of significance being used to determine differences existing between the two groups of male and female. Demographic data was compiled into tables for interpretation of the personal characteristics of the response population. SELECTED FINDINGS The analysis of variance test indicated that the two groups were alike in their responses to the criterion variable statements contained in the questionnaire. Significant differences at the .05 level did not occur in any of the criterion variable statements employed to test the null-hypothesis. Other selected findings of importance were: - Secondary cooperative work experience programs, as they have been offered in Oregon, were accomplishing a majority of the instructional goals and objectives which had been identified. A majority of former students surveyed believed they learned and benefited from the programs. - Former students of these programs were more successful in obtaining and maintaining employment in comparison to the total state population of youths under 25 years old. -A majority of females surveyed got their first job in the exact same area as their training. -Two years after leaving high school a majority of the females surveyed were still employed in areas related to their cooperative work experience training. The testing of the mean scores indicated that the two groups surveyed were similar in their responses. The hypothesis were retained in all of the criterion variable statements. The general acceptance of the hypothesis by the surveyed population may be interpreted as representing the entire population of all former senior students enrolled in Oregon secondary work experience programs during the 1970-71 school year. SELECTED RECOMMENDATIONS The author would recommend that a validation study be repeated at a future date. Other areas needing research are methods of improving coordination between student interests and/or vocational training and the actual placement in related work stations. Further research is needed in how the secondary cooperative work experience programs can be made more effective and efficient in placing students on jobs after leaving high school that are directly related to their training experience. The evidence presented in this study has implications that need to be investigated by all personnel concerned with Oregon secondary cooperative work experience programs. These are implications that should be of interest to administrators of secondary vocational programs.

An Analysis of Attitudes and Opinions of Employer Groups Concerning Cooperative Vocational Education
An Analysis of Attitudes and Opinions of Employer Groups Concerning Cooperative Vocational Education

Author: Wanda Mae Martin

Publisher:

Published: 1976

Total Pages: 328

ISBN-13:

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The Purpose of the Study: The major purpose of this study was to determine if there were differences among the opinions of participating employers, previous participating employers, and non- participating employers concerning cooperative vocational education, . The hypothesis that there is no significant difference among the mean scores for the three employer groups was tested. Specifically, the objectives were to: (1) determine, utilizing the Delphi technique, a consensus of cooperative vocational education experts regarding values, objectives, program elements and future direction of cooperative vocational education; (2) develop a survey questionnaire based upon the consensus of the Delphi panel members; (3) determine by analysis of questionnaire results if there are differences in the opinions and attitudes of employer groups regarding the values, objectives, program elements and future direction of cooperative vocational education; and (4) ascertain areas of concern, consensus or variations of opinions from the business sector regarding cooperative vocational education. The Procedures: Construction and validation of the questionnaire were accomplished through a review of literature and an evaluation and consensus by six Delphi panel members. A mail survey questionnaire containing 29 value statements, 78 program elements and objectives statements, and three future direction statements, together with a five-point Likert- type scale, was used to gather the data. The sample for the study consisted of 25 participating employers, 25 previous-participating employers, and 25 non-participating employers, all randomly selected from lists supplied by career education directors from Oregon secondary schools. These schools were identified as offering five or more occupational clusters during the 1974-75 school year, having an ongoing cooperative vocational education program, and having received Part G funding within the last six years. The F statistic was used to analyze contrasts among the mean scores for each statement with the .05 level of significance being used to determine differences existing among the three groups. A test of Least Significant Difference was used to determine where significant differences existed between means of statements which were rejected in the analysis of variance test. Selected Findings and Conclusions: The analysis of variance test indicated that the three employer groups were alike in their responses to statements contained in the questionnaire; but significant differences did occur in one of 29 value statements, one of 78 program elements and objectives statements, and one of three future direction statements. The hypothesis was retained on 107 of the 110 statements. In a ranking of the highest and lowest mean scores for the three employer groups, ten statements scored above 4.00 and 15 statements scored below 2.50 by all groups. The three employer groups agreed there was value in cooperative vocational education programs. Selected Suggestions for Further Study: In view of the findings and conclusions of the study, it is sug gested additional research be conducted to assess if variations do exist between the three employer groups concerning cooperative vocational education. It is also suggested further study be made in the areas of teacher education and in-service education in the areas where total agreement was not reached by the three groups. In addition, research should be conducted in the areas where all three employer groups reached concurrence in agreement or disagreement to statements to provide for further program expansion involving the business community.