The need for bilingual vocational education programs in secondary schools as perceived by bilingual and vocational program directors, vocational counselors, secondary school counselors, and industry representatives in Texas

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the need for Spanish-English bilingual vocational education programs in secondary schools in Texas as perceived by bilingual directors, vocational directors, vocational counselors, secondary school counselors, and industry representatives. Supporting objectives were: 1. Determine the extent of agreement among bilingual directors, vocational directors, vocational counselors, secondary school counselors, and industry representatives regarding the need for bilingual vocational education programs. 2. Determine the opinions held concerning selected issues pertaining to bilingual vocational education programs as perceived by the five groups. 3. Determine the extent of agreement concerning the need for bilingual vocational education programs as perceived by bilingual directors, vocational counselors, and secondary school counselors with and without vocational education teaching experience. 4. Determine the extent of agreement concerning the need for bilingual vocational education programs as perceived by bilingual directors and secondary school counselors with and without world-of-work experience. 5. Determine if a relationship exists between perception of need for bilingual vocational education programs as expressed by the five groups and the percent of Spanish-speaking students in school districts in or with which respondents work. Procedures. Data from opinionnaires were obtained from 636 respondents, a 65 percent return. Six null hypotheses related to objectives and derived from a theoretical base were tested using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance with the Scheffe test where applicable, and Chi-square. The .05 level of significance was used for accepting null hypotheses..