Section 254.120  Purpose

The rules set forth herein are issued to govern the state's program of vocational education so that persons of all ages in all areas of the state will have ready access to vocational training or retraining which is of high quality, which is realistic in light of actual or anticipated employment opportunities, and which is suited to their needs, interests, and abilities to benefit from such training, and which is provided through an effective and efficient delivery system.

a)         Vocational education and other education for employment programs will share in meeting the fundamental responsibilities of public education to:

1)         assure that all students, whether youth or adult, attain appropriate levels of achievement in areas fundamental to their continuing development; and to

2)         assure that all students attain a satisfactory level of achievement appropriate to either immediate employment or advanced education in preparation for later employment.

b)         Vocational education and other education for employment programs that are supported with state and federal funds will be responsive to the changing nature of the labor market, to technological advances, to the changing characteristics of the work force, and to the academic, technical and attitudinal development of their students.

c)         The sequence of instruction constituting a vocational education program of an eligible recipient at the secondary or postsecondary level shall include classroom instruction and laboratory or on-the-job experiences necessary to prepare the student for immediate employment or advanced education in preparation for later employment in the occupation or occupational field for which the program is designed.  The program of instruction shall insure that, as a result of their schooling, students will be able to:

1)         understand and be aware of the nature of the relationship between education and work as it relates to the diverse and complex work force;

2)         understand and demonstrate proficiency in those technical skills and knowledge necessary to enter employment or for further education in a related field;

3)         demonstrate proficiency in applying reading, writing and computational skills necessary for immediate employment or for advanced study;

4)         identify basic work-related values and attitudes and understand how they affect an individual's employment in the work force; and

5)         understand and be able to apply contemporary job search skills.

(Source:  Amended at 12 Ill. Reg. 2282, effective January 15, 1988)