Milford chronicle., 1931-07-24
FEDERAL BOARD
FOR VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION
Depression Emphasizes
Vocational Education
Needs, States Report.

Evidence of a realization on thu
part of State governments of the
necessity for continuing their sup
port of vocational education pro
grams even in the face of the econo-
mic depression; is found in a state
ment made public by DR.. J. c.
Wright, director of the Federal
Board for Vocational Education.
I'VE can conclude from the State
reports" Dr. Wright states, that
the vocational education program in
this country has stood the test of
the worlds greatest economic de-
preston, depression which has re-
suited in the curtailment of public
expenditures in many fields. The de-
preston has served to emphasize the
fact that the necessity for vocation
al education in giving training to
those persons who desire pTepara-
tion for work as we'll as for helping
those out of a job to adjust them
selves to new occupations is even
greater in times of depression than
in normal times"
According to DR.. Wright, 10 states
report an increase in State appropri-
ations for the current fiscal year,
totaling 100000. Only states re-
port decreases in their vocational
training appropriations. These de-
creases total $4,000, which leaves
total increase in the appropria-
tions for the 46 states reporting of
nearly $75O,OOO available for addi-
tional schools and classes in voca-
tional education.
Four states have increased their
appropriations for vocational re-
Mobilization work, amounting in all
to $18,5OS, while only one State re-
ports decrease.
2 "The encouraging feature of the
reports made by the 46 states," DR..
Wright declares, "is the upward
trend in the financial support for
vocational education and vocational
rehabilitation by local communities
throughout the country. Only two
states report less support from To- |
cal communities during. the current |
year. On the other hand, one state |
reports a material increase, 20
states a general increase, and II |
states slight increase; while three
states indicate that the local sup
port will be the same as last year.
Every indication points to an in
crease in enrolment in vocational |
classes in agriculture, trade and in
dustry, and home economics, the
three fields with which vocational
education has to do, in 81 out of the
46 states reporting. Four states re-
port that the enrolment will prob
ably be about the same as for the
previous year.
New York is planning the great
est program of expansion of any of
the states from which we have re-
ports. The State Legislature has
its appropriations for vo-
cational education 100000 over last
year. It is expected according to
reports, that Is new
of vocational agricul-
ture and so departments Of home &C.
Onomics will be added within the
year, and an increased enrolment is
anticipated in the day schools in
.rade and industrial instruction. A ;
feature of the past years program
N this State has been the enroll {
nent of several thousand persons in {
special classes organized for the un- {
S
81 attach particular significance to
he fact that 80 states report no I
,hanges in the size of their staffs g
or the current year, and that il
tates have increased their person I
lel by the addition of 16 supervis- I
RS. A decrease reported by four t
tates totals 4 supervisors. Only one :
r two states indicate any tendency
o reduce salaries"