2984

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

A House Joint Resolution concerning

State Support for Vocational Education

FOR the purpose of requesting the preparation of a

comprehensive program and fiscal study on the use of

State funds for supporting vocational and technical
education programs.

WHEREAS, Since 1970 vocational and technical education
program enrollments in Maryland have increased 66 percent at
the secondary level, 86 percent at the post secondary level
and 56 percent at the adult level; and

WHEREAS, During Fiscal Year 1977 over 37 percent of the
State's students in grades 10 to 12 and 40 percent of the
community college students were enrolled in vocational and
technical education programs; and

WHEREAS, The extent to which students' desires to
enroll in vocational and technical education programs has
not been determined and students are leaving secondary
schools without the necessary skills for job entry; and

WHEREAS, A student desiring to enroll in a vocational
and technical education program not available at a community
college in his county or region of residence must pay a
higher tuition fee to pursue his program in another county
or region where the program is offered; and

WHEREAS, Vocational and technical education continues
to experience a public image which is detrimental to the
recruitment of students who could benefit from such training
in preparation for work; and

WHEREAS, The Annual Report of the State Advisory
Council on Vocational and Technical Education provides an
evaluation of the effectiveness of vocational and technical
education programs and activities in the State and includes
recommendations for improvement; and

WHEREAS, The State Department of Education Five Year
State Plan for Vocational-Technical Education, 1978-1982,
the Summary of Findings of the General Assembly Joint
Committee on Corrections and the Maryland Educational
Coordinating Council on Correctional Institutions' Master
Plan for Corrections Education in Maryland's Division of
Correction Institutions both identify requirements for
additional funds needed to accomplish essential programs;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the

Governor's Commission on Funding of Public Education

appropriate legislative committee undertake a program and
fiscal study to determine the extent and manner in which