Coordinated Curriculum Planning and Vo-Tech

Coordinated Curriculum Planning & Vocational-Technical School

In 1962, the board approved a new position—director of instruction. Dr. William E. Babcock, junior high principal, took on this new all-encompassing role. He was charged with developing, coordinating and carrying out curriculum for kindergarten through 12th grade.

In an effort to improve curriculum development, the district in 1965 established the position of curriculum coordinator. Seventeen coordinators were approved in the instructional areas of adult education, home and family living, instructional media and 14 subject fields. These coordinators were to play a major role in improving curriculum and instruction.

In the 1960s, the board changed the position of supervising principal to superintendent of schools. Roy S. Jamison, who had held the position, continued as superintendent until 1964, when he resigned to accept a position at Webster Academy in Massachusetts.

The state’s first Cooperative Work Experience Program began in State College in 1964 as a pilot initiative under the Vocational Education Act of 1963. More than 85 percent of the students in this work-study program were offered full-time employment after graduation.

As early as 1959, the board had paid tuition for students attending vocational-technical classes in the Bellefonte school district. In 1965, Centre County was approved by the state as an area for a stand-alone vocational-technical school, and the county board immediately decided to move ahead with the project.

With the approval of all four districts in the county, a site near Pleasant Gap was chosen. The districts provided 90 percent of the annual budget for the vo-tech school, based on the market value of property in each district as well as the number of students enrolled from each district. The Centre County Vocational Technical School was dedicated on Nov. 16,1969.

Programs initially offered at the vo-tech school were: auto body, auto mechanics, auto technology, building maintenance, business machines operation, carpentry and millwork, cosmetology, data processing, dental assistance technology, drafting and design, electricity, electronics, food services, graphic arts, machine shop, masonry, practical nursing, heavy equipment, horticulture technology, hospitality services, tool and die technology and welding.