A Case Study of the Effects of the Illinois System for Evaluation of Vocational Education Upon the Programs Serving Limited English Speaking Students

170 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1982.The purpose of this study was to provide a better understanding of the processes used by the Illinois DAVTE in evaluating vocational education programs and services aimed at limited English proficient (LEP) students in Illinois. This was accomplished by developing and portraying a comprehensive picture of the current evaluation process. Included in the body of data were the views and concerns of several groups involved in and affected by the on-site evaluation process for vocational education programs in Illinois. Data, views, concerns, and improvement-oriented recommendations were collected from team leaders, team members, local administrators, teachers, counselors, students, and community members, as well as DAVTE personnel. Responses to a series of four major research questions were sought: (1) What procedures has the DAVTE undertaken in order to evaluate programs and services aimed at LEP populations? (2) What are other states doing in evaluating services and programs aimed at LEP populations? (3) What are the views and concerns of the DAVTE staff, local administrators and board members, instructors, students, and community members with respect to the evaluation of programs and services aimed at LEP populations? (4) What is the extent and nature of the impact on local education agencies that were evaluated in Fiscal Year 1980 and are serving LEP populations?The DAVTE on-site evaluation process was discovered to be a formidable positive factor in the overall maintenance, growth and quality of vocational education programs and services in Illinois. At the same time, however, this study revealed that the process was having only a minimal positive impact on vocational education programs and services serving LEP students. While vocational education programs aimed at LEP populations are a relatively recent educational endeavor, very little is known about the operation of these programs, the instructional practices, and the effects on trainees in Illinois and other states.The study provided recommendations, with respect to improving services and programs to LEP populations and improvement of state-wide evaluation systems, to the DAVTE, Local Education Agencies, Universities, and for future meta-evaluations.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD