April 4, 2005 – Like many previous hearings of the Senate Education, Culture and Youth Committee, its Monday hearing on the status of vocational education painted a grim picture of the difficulties V.I. students encounter in obtaining a quality education.
And like previous hearings, Committee Chairman Liston Davis showed a video. This one depicted the conditions of vocational programs throughout the territory.
Davis said while St. Croix seems to have "state-of-the art" facilities, the St. Thomas-St. John District suffers from outdated, inoperable equipment.
However, Wilbert Gomez, secretary for the Board of Vocational Education, said St. Croix has its problems as well.
Lauren Larsen, acting commissioner of the Education Department, told the committee the vocational education program served 5,083 students throughout the territory last school year, including young and older adults.
Vocational education is provided in the public school system to students from kindergarten to 6th grade through vocational education awareness, 7th to 9th grade through exploratory programs, and 10th to 12th grade through occupational training. The adult population is served through the Raphael O. Wheatley Skills Center on St. Thomas and the St. Croix Vocational Education School's evening program.
Gomez said vocational education is a misunderstood term. He said many people think it is just the training of workers to become plumbers, carpenters, auto mechanics and other laborers.
"However, vocational education encompasses a wide range of occupations from firemen to computer technicians to lab technicians to the carpenters," Gomez said.
Gomez said several site visits by the Board for Vocational Education revealed many of the program's shortcomings, including: lack of adequate equipment, no material or supplies, unprepared students in the basic subjects of reading and mathematics, leaking roofs, lack of in-service training for teachers and low student enrollment.
The community's stigma on vocational education has led to a reduction in enrollment, Gomez said. He added that the vocational program has also become a "dumping ground" for students who are mentally or physically challenged.
"There is a negative status assigned to vocational education here in the islands as well as on the U.S. mainland," Gomez said. "As a result, there is a move to change the name from Vocational Education to Career and Technical Education."
Gomez said the local government has to do its part in providing the needed funding for vocational programs, giving each program its own budget. He said school administrators must also promote the program to students and help remove the stigma that vocational education relates to low-skilled employment.
One other concern for Gomez was President George Bush's 2006 budget request to eliminate funding for the Perkins Reauthorizing Act of 1988, which guaranteed funding for vocational programs. Gomez said Bush proposes to transfer all Perkins funds to the general education budget.
"Vocational directors all over the nation are worried that vocational education programs will be shortchanged," Gomez said.
Enoch Rogers, supervisor of the Wheatley Skills Center, said the center's budget was insufficient to cover salaries, supplies, equipment and classes that he would like to implement. Rogers said the 28-year-old facility is also in need of new air conditioning units, updated labs, a new telephone system, a full-time counselor and periodic monitoring of campus grounds to ensure safety.
Currently the center provides training in aviation mechanics, basic auto mechanics, clerical business/typing, computer applications, cosmetology, computer repair, carpentry, electronics and small engine repair.
Charlotte Amalie High School Principal Jeanette Smith-Barry also testified about the programs offered at the high school. Barry said she has resorted to utilizing the Wheatley Center during the day because of inadequate facilities at the high school campus.
"One of the concerns we have had about vocational education is the decline in enrollment, specifically for the trade and industry component," Barry said.
Barry also complained that sometimes she did not receive funding for the vocational education program at CAHS.
Contrary to the comments of other testifiers that the reduction was due to block scheduling and increasing the amount of course credits needed for graduation, Barry said students select courses based on who is teaching the class and what happens in the classroom.
"We need to look at staff development," Barry said. "The single most important factor in student learning is the teacher."
Barry said CAHS would continue to promote vocational education training.
"We will in no way treat our vocational education program like a dumping ground," Barry said, adding that they do have to keep the programs open to those with disabilities as required by law.
Sen. Roosevelt David said, "There seems to be too much talk and not enough action."
David said he didn't understand why the Education Department had all those funding problems when they receive the largest operating budget – a little less than $200 million.
"Frankly, we're spinning our wheels in the dirt, and not getting anywhere," Sen. Louis P. Hill said, echoing David's sentiments.
Hill moved that the Education Department provide the committee with a written plan on needed reform for the vocational program within six months to include:
– Annual funding needed.
– Facilities needed.
– New administrative structure.
– New and updated curriculum.
The motion was approved with a 5-0 vote. Sens. Terrance "Positive" Nelson and Usie Richards were absent.
In response to questions by Davis, Barry said she was glad for the motion but as a school principal she thinks six months is too much time for formulating a plan. Barry said she wants to know before this school year ends what changes will be made, if any, to the vocational education program.
Committee members attending Monday's hearing were: Sens. Davis, David, Juan Figueroa-Serville, Hill and Shawn-Michael Malone.
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