Influential factors affecting enrollment into nontraditional vocational education programs as perceived by educational personnel

The major purpose of the study was to identify perceptions of educational personnel toward influencing the enrollment of females into non-traditional vocational education programs. A secondary purpose was to determine if there was congruence of those perceptions among educational personnel. Specifically, the study attempted to determine how (1) state directors of vocational education, (2) state sex equity coordinators, (3) presidents of state vocational associations, and (4) state directors of counseling perceived factors influencing the enrollment of females into non-traditional vocational education programs which included items pertaining to school programs and personnel, parent and peer information, reasons for selection and classroom factors.

The study included 145 individuals comprising four reference groups. Four individuals from each state were included: (1) state director of vocational education (N = 42), (2) state sex equity coordinator (N = 42), (3) president of state vocational association (N = 32) and (4) state director of counseling (N = 31).

A questionnaire was developed, submitted to a campus review committee for face validity, clarity, and appropriateness of items. The realiability estimate computed for the instrument was .96. A pilot study was conducted in order to achieve further validation.

Computations of frequencies, percentages, and means were completed for the 50 items for each of the four groups. Homogeneity iii

iv of variance was tested using the Bartlett Box-F test. Differences between reference groups' mean perceptions were tested by using the one-way analysis of variance. Scheffe's multiple comparison test was used to locate significant differences between the four groups.

Twelve out of 50 items were perceived by state directors of vocational education, 26 by state sex equity coordinators, 13 by presidents of state vocational associations, and 15 by state directors of counseling as having a high degree of influence on the enrollment of females into non-traditional vocational education programs.

No significant differences were found between the mean perceptions of state directors of vocational education and state directors of counseling, between state directors of vocational education and presidents of state vocational associations, and between state directors of counseling and presidents of state vocational associations.

The following null hypotheses failed to be accepted:

H2 "There are no significant differences between the mean perceptions of state directors of vocational education and state sex equity coordinators." Significant differences were found when state directors of vocational education and state sex equity coordinators mean influential ratings were compared for each item. Differences occurred in 1l out of 50 items.

H6' "There are no significant differences between the mean perceptions of state sex equity coordinators and presidents of state vocational associations." Significant differences were found when state equity coordinators and presidents of state vocational

associations mean influential ratings were compared for each item. Differences occurred in 14 out of 50 items.

Based on the findings of the study the researcher concluded that state directors of vocational education, presidents of state vocational associations, and state directors of counseling perceived a very small number of items as having a high degree of influence on the enrollment of females into non-traditional vocational education programs. State sex equity coordinators perceived more items than the three other groups as having a high degree of influence, but the number was small in relation to the total number of items. Classroom factors were perceived by state sex equity coordinators as having a high degree of influence on enrollment of females into non-traditional vocational programs. All groups agreed that counselors and teachers do not exert a high degree of influence on females toward nontraditional roles. All groups perceived "contact with women employed in non-traditional careers," "parental attitudes," "parent involvement," and "early orientation to a variety of occupations" as having a high degree of influence on female decision making. State directors of counseling perceived that counseling has no influence on females in non-traditional career decisions.