Vandalia Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Garrison is pleased with the results of a report on the relationship between vocational programming and postsecondary pathways. The report was prepared by Vela Institute and paid for by the school’s Gear Up Grant.
In a recent school board meeting, Dr. Garrison highlighted two conclusions—one was that student participation in OKAW Area Vocational Center’s programs is associated with higher enrollment in trade schools and a greater likelihood of using vocational skills in employment. The report notes that this underscores the value of vocational training in preparing students for specific career paths. The other highlight was dual credit benefits. The report notes that earning dual credit is linked to higher trade school enrollment and greater use of vocational skills in employment, highlighting the importance of dual credit courses in enhancing job readiness and aligning with vocational training.
