A Study to Determine the Value and Need of a Vocational Group Guidance Unit at the Eighth Grade Level of Brighton Junior High School Brighton School District One Rochester 18, New York

Abstract

Educational systems often struggle to meet the needs of students who fall outside of the average and/or college-bound academic path. This research study examines the effectiveness of the vocational group guidance unit taught to eighth graders in the Brighton No. 1 school system. The author used the results of a pre-test given to 25 eighth graders to create a questionnaire investigating students’ and teachers’ perceptions of the unit. Of 254 eighth grade students, 236 responded to the survey. Results were split by gender and tabulated twice. Then responses were combined and tabulated to provide a check-reference for total responses. Seven teachers were surveyed. The researcher found that while the existing Guidance Unit was meeting most needs, it was not sufficient for assisting academically challenged students or introducing students to trade fields, nor did it adequately engage students regarding the “changing world of work”. As a whole, however, the unit was successful. The author recommends addressing the above issues, as well as reevaluating the oral presentations, while continuing the overall guidance unit program.