Let's focus on some basic questions regarding equity in vocational education and training
This discussion has been initiated by the work in progress undertaken in the context of the FARE project (see http://fare.iacm.forth.gr/proj...).
We would greatly appreciate to reflect upon and contribute to the discussion in this topic on the basis of the following questions:
a) Our analysis of the PISA 2009 student raw data from 11 European countries show that 15 year olds in vocational programmes and schools tend to come from families that are of much lower socio-economic and cultural status as compared to the families of those who choose academically oriented programmes and schools [1]. What might be the implications of such a pattern regarding equity in opportunities, treatment and outcomes of VET students as compared to general orientation students?
b) The same PISA 2009 analysis shows that in most of the countries general orientation students on average perform much higher than vocational orientation students in reading, mathematics and science. How VET schools and teachers can deal successfully with educational disadvantages of their students created at earlier stages of their school life?
c) Do VET schools (re)produce gender segregation in prospective careers, by orienting boys predominantly to blue collar specialties and girls predominantly to white collar specialties?
Please try to reflect upon the questions and contribute to the discussion having in mind what is the situation in your country.
http://e-demos.iacm.forth.gr/i... (1.2 Mb)