The Denver Jewish news., 1918-10-31
Vocational Guidance
in the Denver Schools
BEGINNING OF THIS IMPORTANT
Y WORK EXPLAINED BY WM.
& X. BLUMENTHAL.


<fion. vocational guidance stands out
Eas the champion Of those about to be
I; ;bitchforketl into the vocational an
~ rchy of the days Industrial world. 1t
~ the long-sought-for friend of the
for whom it aims to furnish
5Fkillcd and efficient workers. 1t is
&an economic blessing to the country.
insuring it increasing prosperity.
For the student in the public schools
I the aim Of vocational guidance is To
help him choose, prepare for, enter
In. and he efficient in the useful Oc.
c,,pa tiOns. 1t assists each student to
find what is for him the best pos
sible work. However. it is not a bread.
snd-butter aim merely, for the life of
man is organized around his work. and
his preparation and adaptability for
his work in large measure determine
his moral, social and intellectual life.
= Studies Aptitudes and Abilities.
This new movement has created
demand for the vocational counselor
TO guide students in the choice of and
preparation for vOcatiOns. The coun-
selor must know the opportunities Of
fercd in his community to the differ
ent vocations. and the qualifications
necessary therein for success. He must
study the special aptituucs and abili.
ties Of the student apd help determine
where these cnn be put TO the hest
use. Too. he must assist in placina
the right boy and gii3 in the right
place. and follow them up thru theil
Vocational skirmishes to see that they
make useful, happy citizens.
Vocational education is the logical
development Of vocational guidance. 1t
is the actual training given those who
Denver this training can be given in
prcvocatiOnal courses in the elemen-
tary schools, in part-time vocational
courses in the Opportunity school.
In technical cournes In the high and
s.ycning high schoo,5 In anbitiouH wage
earners' dull-season courses In fhe
School of Trades. and in the technical,
commercial and professional schools of
higher rank Such is the need for
more vocational training that the Fed
eral government has just recently ap-
prOpriated millions for industrial edri-
cation. and the several states are rap
idly utilizing these funds by provid'
ing sums equal to their respective
allOtments.
Survey Urges Guidance.
A survey of vocational education in
the Denver public schools was made in
the spring of 1915 by two of Americas
foremost authorities on the subject
They urged that the Denver schools
enter at once upon program of vo.
cational education and secure the close
cooperation of the traces, Industries
and occupations. The, survey commit
tee quoted the Commission on National
Aid to Vocational Education. appointed
by President Wilson. as follows: "vo.
cational education . - : is n wise bust.
ness investment. because our national
prosperity and happiness is ut stake
and our position in the markets OF
the world cannot otherwise be main.
tained." The committee further rec
commended that "The Denver schools
need to begin now to develop the work
of vocational guidance and placement"
The superintendent of schools. Mr..
Carlos NJ. Cole. and his assistants
knew the Importance of the commit.
tees recommendations. The popular
Opportunity school was established as
a "part-time" school as suggested by the
survey, and other changes for the bet.
ter were made. Then came the war,
which imposed such demands on the
schools that the extension of the vo.
cational program. If not neglected, at
least had to be kept in allowance.
Notwithstanding these conditions il
remained for Mr.. II. NJ. Barrett, prin'
cipal of the East Side High school. to
take the first step in the no small
task. albeit it was done semi official
ly and in limited way. When last
September Mr.. Barrett appointed the
writer to the vocational guidance and
placement work at East Denver, no
official designation could be given to
the counselor, nor was he relieved
from the prescribed classroom work.
However, the writer was given carte
blanche opportunity to do the best
there could be done under existing
conditions. Thruout the year Mr.. Bar
rett guided and encouraged the work.
apd his sympathetic interest in the
welfare Of the students made possible
the following report:
a. the beginnins Of the school year
tv,n C.Sk 0;dA YJ;nh SchNn1 students