Teacher Ratings of Instructional and Setting Demands in Vocational Education Classes

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Abstract
There is an urgent need for support services for teachers and for interventions for students in vocational education mainstreaming programs. Development of appropriate and specific interventions for use in these classes requires precise descriptions of instructional demands and teacher expectations in the technical, home economics, and business areas of vocational education. The primary purpose of this study was to compare the instructional setting demands and teacher expectations of vocational education classes with those found in regular academic classes. Results were mixed and not significantly different for instructional grouping and instructional materials and methods. Teachers in academic and vocational classes also held similar expectations for behaviors necessary for success in their courses. However, significant differences were found in the demands of physical setting, method of instruction, class requirements, and allowed accommodations. In addition, significant differences were found between the three types of vocational courses: home economics, business, and technical. The implications of these findings for future research and classroom practice are discussed.