PAYING FOR VO-TECH

Expanding local vocational and technical educational opportunities has been suggested as part of Vision 2000's study of Cape Girardeau public schools. A group of about 20 businessmen and educators from the Cape Girardeau area went to Paducah recently to compare the West Kentucky State Technical School in Paducah with opportunities here.

The Kentucky vo-tech school offers considerably more post-high school courses than the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational-Technical School. But state mission directives and funding commitments greatly affect what each school offers.

In Missouri, the Cape Girardeau vo-tech school is set up under the public school system, serving eight districts in the area. Because the bulk of its state funding is for serving high school students, the vo-tech school's focus remains in that area. This year, enrollment of high school students at the vo-tech school is at its highest-ever level of 576 students.

The Kentucky vocational school, on the other hand, is strictly for high school graduates and serves no high school students. As one of 16 state technical schools, the Paducah school gets about 80 percent of its $5.5 million budget from state and federal sources. The Cape Girardeau school's budget is $1.5 million. As a result, its post-high school offerings have to be self supporting. For example, the respiratory therapy program in Paducah costs $600. That same year-long program will run $3,300 in Cape Girardeau.

Despite this financial burden, the demand for vocational and technical classes for high school graduates continues to grow in Cape Girardeau. But the school is running out of space to expand classrooms.

The Cape Girardeau vo-tech school has filled some other niches as well, including adult hobby classes, supplementary and customized training for businesses and Adult Basic Education classes. In all, the school here reaches an impressive 9,000 adults each year.

The allied health training programs remain in the highest demand, with both intermediate and long-term training offered. Many of these adults are non-traditional students who are changing careers.

The vocational school also works with Southeast Missouri State University and Mineral Area Community College in Park Hills. At Mineral Area, Cape Girardeau vocational graduates enter college with advanced standing, which translates into up to 21 credits.

As vocational training grows in importance, Missouri may want to re-direct the mission and financing of vocational-technical schools. Increased cooperation between the vo-tech school and Southeast Missouri State University may also benefit those seeking something less than a four-year degree.

While there is always room for improvement, a considerable new source of funding would need to be found to offer local courses at the level of Paducah.