Degree Name

Education Specialist (EdS)

Semester of Degree Completion

1978

Thesis Director

Robert V. Shuff

Abstract

The Illinois Office of Education, Department of Adult, Vocational and Technical Education, made available on a competitive basis in November of 1977, grant funds for the establishment of nineteen Career Guidance Centers. The twofold mission determined for the centers was to assist public and private educational agencies in the improvement of vocational guidance services for students and to provide specialized guidance services for out-of-school individuals.

The impetus for improving vocational guidance and counseling services, including the "Center" approach and the funds available for grants, emanated from Section 134 of the Amendments to the Vocational Education Act of 1963, Public Law 94-482, which became effective October 1, 1977.

The Department of Adult, Vocational and Technical Education specified that educational service regions, community colleges, and local educational agencies would be eligible applicants to administer a grant for the conduct of a Career Guidance Center.

Samuel T. White, Superintendent of the Clay-Jasper-Richland Educational Service Region, and I reviewed the "Guidelines and Specifications for preparing Grant Applications." Mr. White then directed me, as Assistant Superintendent, to submit a proposal to the Department of Adult, Vocational and Technical Education to establish a Career Guidance Center for our project area.

On December 30, 1977 our office was notified that our grant application to administer a Career Guidance Center had been approved.

The proposal submitted by the Clay-Jasper-Richland Educational Service Region addressed the following eight missions:

  1. Assisting public and private educational agencies in the initiation, implementation, and improvement of high qualify vocational guidance and counseling programs and activities.
  2. Assisting public and private educational agencies to provide for vocational counseling for children, youth and adults, leading to a greater understanding of educational and vocational options.
  3. Assisting public and private educational agencies to provide educational and job placement services, including programs to prepare individuals for professional occupations or occupations requiring a baccalaureate or higher degree, including followup services.
  4. Conducting vocational guidance and counseling training designed to acquaint guidance counselors in public and private educational agencies with (1) the changing work patterns of women, (b) ways of effectively overcoming sex stereotyping, and (c) ways of assisting girls and women in selecting careers solely on their occupational needs and interests, and to develop improved career counseling materials which are free.
  5. Assisting correctional institutions to provide vocational and educational counseling for youth offenders and adults.
  6. Assisting public and private educational agencies to provide vocational guidance and counseling for persons of limited English-speaking ability.
  7. Providing services to meet the needs of out-of-school individuals, including individuals seeking second careers, individuals entering the job market late in life, handicapped individuals, individuals from economically depressed communities or areas, and early retirees.
  8. Providing leadership for vocational guidance and exploration programs in local public and private educational agencies.

These eight missions were then translated into time specific, quantifiable objectives. Provisions were made to assist public and private educational agencies to implement activities in a manner which would bring individuals with experience in business and industry, the professions, and other occupational pursuits into schools as counselors or advisors for students; and, bring students into the work establishment of business and industry, the professions and other occupational pursuits for the purpose of acquainting students with the nature of the work that is accomplished therein.

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