DATE: Tuesday, October 21, 1997             TAG: 9710210184

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: FOCUS: ELECTION '97

SOURCE: BY MATTHEW DOLAN, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                        LENGTH:   90 lines

AT ISSUEVOCATIONAL AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION ADMINISTRATOR BELIEVES THE STATE COULD AND SHOULD DO MORE FOR HIS STUDENTS

From Robert Head's perspective, the public concern over preparing students for four-year colleges and universities doesn't tell the whole story.

As program administrator for vocational and technology education at Chesapeake Public Schools, Head understands the value of instilling workplace skills in today's high school students by the time they graduate.

And he believes the state could and should do more.

``I would like to see some more scholarships for our graduates,'' he said. ``Sometimes I think we tend to look at the four-year schools more. I would hope that we could see some state assistance for these students.''

Head, 47, is himself a graduate of a vo-tech program. He attended Churchland High when the school was still a part of Chesapeake, when students used T-squares and triangles and there were no computer-assisted design and computer-assisted manufacturing courses, as there are today.

Companies expect job-ready workers with marketable skills, he said, and the school district tries to prepare students to meet the demand.

The Academic Tech program, which mixes a rigorous academic curriculum with vocational skills, has been a feature in Chesapeake schools for more than a year. Head suggested that Virginia consider a program similar to one in Georgia, which provides state-funded scholarships to students who complete a similar program and attend a community college.

He said 300 students graduated from Chesapeake high schools last spring with an academic tech certificate in addition to a high school diploma.

Those students, Head said, often need an extra educational push: an apprenticeship program or some community college training. Some 70 percent of all newly created jobs require 13.5 years of schooling and not a full four-year college degree, he said.

The state should commit more of its resources to those students, he said.

``I think there is a more positive view of vocational education now,'' Head said. ``There are a lot of parents out there who have gone through downsizing. Now that those adults have had to change their career path, they're starting to think, `Maybe it would have helped to learn a trade in high school.' '' ILLUSTRATION: Photo

CHARLIE MEADS/The Virginian-Pilot

Robert F. Head...

Graphic

Photos

BEYER

GILMORE

CANDIDATES RESPOND

Robert Head's question: When people talk about higher education,

they generally mean colleges. What ideas do you have for improving

the next educational steps after high school - whether it be

traditional colleges or some other educational experiences?

[Donald S. Beyer Jr.]

We need more worker training for job development, help for adults

to get their GEDs, and greater access to community colleges and

technical schools. My scholarship plan will pay for the full second

year of community college for students with a B average or better to

encourage more students to complete degrees.

We need to work with businesses to ensure the work force is

ready. My tax credit for worker training complements a plan to

expand worker training offerings at community colleges and link

businesses with local education centers to match skill needs with

courses.

As for new options after high school, I am committed to the

higher education center proposed for Roanoke. A stronger commitment

to vocational education in high school will prepare students for

jobs.

[James S. Gilmore III]

I am committed to keeping Virginia's system of higher education

the best in the nation. I will appoint a blue ribbon commission to

study our system and prepare a blueprint for how our institutions

can be the improved.

I also am committed to vocational work force training at

Virginia's community colleges. That's why I will continue Gov.

Allen's program on tax credits for businesses that pay their

employees tuition for non-credit worker training classes at

community colleges. And my scholarship program will permit students

to take a scholarship to any post-secondary school, including a

trade, business or vocational school. I also will maintain quality

vocational programs in Virginia's high schools for those students

who want to learn specific work force skills. KEYWORDS: ELECTION VIRGINIA GUBERNATORIAL RACE VIRGINIA

PLATFORMS VOCATIONAL EDUCATION CANDIDATES

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