An analysis of the planning process used in a regional approach to establish secondary-postsecondary articulation in vocational education

The purpose of this paper was to describe and analyze the planning process for a regional cooperative program in vocational education, involving six public school systems and two community colleges. These agencies were assisted by a regional council and business/industry. The project is unique in that it brings together eight separate educational systems, and includes a regional council in an integral role in educational planning. This arrangement, called articulation, is not new but has been subject to recent increased interest by educators, business and government. The planning was described by those who did the planning, relating the processes in a series of interviews. They addressed a number of issues during the planning process, such as anticipated problems at various stages, future considerations and needs of the project, organizational structure, commitment needed from various groups. A major issue in educational planning not addressed by these planners was that of evaluation. This was left for the project managers