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Technical Education — The Future Is Now An Editorial by Dr. Ken Breeden, Commissioner Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education
Most importantly, however, House Bill 1187 provides for the change of names of Georgia's technical schools from "technical institute" to "technical college." The change of the word "institute" to "college" will be one of the most significant changes in the history of Georgia's technical education system. Over the long run, it will dramatically enhance the marketability of our institutions and programs to high school students, it will clarify the mission of our institutions within the economic development community, and it will put Georgia's technical education system on a level playing field with the community and technical colleges of other states.
This significant change is about image and correct labeling; it is not about changes in mission or focus. Our technical education system has always been focused exclusively on the preparation of people for work and careers. This mission has not and will not change. We have always insisted that all of our programs be
primarily designed to prepare people for the workforce. We have also always placed significant emphasis on creating lifelong opportunities for the upward mobility and flexibility of our citizens, students, and graduates. Thus, we have always encouraged transferability of courses and programs offered by Georgia's technical education institutions to colleges and universities.
We will continue to maintain our focus on preparation of our students for work and careers, and we will continue to work toward the creation of seamless programs that promote and provide for the upward mobility and flexibility of Georgia's high school and post-secondary technical students. Workforce preparation was our only business prior to the name change; it will continue to be our only business after the name change.
I have always believed that Georgia has one of the finest technical education systems in the country, or, for that matter, in the world. With the change of name of our institutions from "technical institute" to "technical college," Georgia can now assume its rightful place and posture as possessing one of the finest "technical college systems" in the country.
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A Student Speaks Out
By Sabrina D. Stefan Georgia's 1999 GOAL Winner
Changing the name "technical institute" to "technical college" is a form of minor surgery that will beautify the image of a technical education that society perceives. This minor surgery will have major, far-reaching effects not only on the image perceived by society, but also for the students who attend and also for those students who are looking for a school to attend.
Because society has always perceived college as a more prestigious education than that offered by a technical school, students who are attending a technical college will be more positive about the education they receive.
Now, think back to your senior year of high school. How many times do you remember being asked the question: "So what college are you going to attend when you graduate?" Well, let me tell you that when I was a senior, I heard it a lot! My reply was always, "I've looked into several colleges, but I haven't made my decision yet."
Yeah, right! If I had told them the truth, that I had no clue what I wanted to do after I graduated, I would have been laughed at. Because I took college prep classes all throughout high school, I never thought about attending a technical school.
No one ever mentioned the educational possibilities of attending a technical school. I was expected to go to college. I feel that many high school students experience this same scenario. Now that the name of our school will be changed to "technical college," students will not feel the sense of pressure pushing them away from it when people ask them what college they will be attending after high school.
Another far-reaching effect caused by changing the school's name is a further advancement in Gov. Barnes' "seamless education" plan. I believe that with the change to "technical college," the plan will be one stitch smoother.
The real beauty of this whole image enhancement is within. Although the name of the school will be changing, it will still be the same school. It's just as if you or I had surgery to enhance our outward appearance; we might look different on the outside and society might perceive us as being more beautiful, but we would be the same person within, and that is where true beauty lies.
Now is the time to make a change. Students, hold your head high and be proud of the education that you have received. Tell everyone who will listen about Georgia's technical colleges. Let us prove that our education is first rate, and let us not forget that it always has been.
*The Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) Program is a partnership between the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education. GOAL recognizes and rewards student excellence. The Annual State GOAL Winner is chosen from candidates from Georgia's technical education system.
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Over the past decade, Georgia's technical institutes have become major players in the delivery of higher education for the people of the state of Georgia. Enrollments have increased by more than 110%, a new enrollment record has been set every quarter for more than 35 consecutive quarters, the annual number of graduates has increased by almost 140%, training services to industry and business have expanded dramatically, more than $500 million has been invested in new modern facilities, 17 new satellite campuses have been created, and our technical institutes have become a vital part of the economic development infrastructure in the communities they serve. As a result of the new initiatives included in Gov. Barnes' A Plus Education Reform Act of 2000 (H.B. 1187), Georgia's technical institutes will take on an even more significant role in the future. The funding formula created by House Bill 1187 will ensure that, in the future, funds will increase as student enrollments increase, thus allowing our institutions to expand to meet growing student demand. In addition, the HOPE Scholarship Program has been expanded to allow even greater access to training programs for students.
Society's image of a technical school education is one that has been viewed as being "second rate" or "inferior" compared to the traditional college education. In truth, there is a need for both technical education and a university system education, and students in each should be proud of their choice.
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