Any adult may apply to become an adult daytime student in any of our 23 vocational programs depending on availability and space. The adult would be working along side the high school students but on an independent study for a full school year (approx. 900 hrs). The following are Goals & Procedures and the Application Process:

Goals and Objectives

Vocational education is and has been an integral part of the total education program of our community. It makes a contribution toward the development of good citizens, including their health, social, civic, cultural and economic interests. It is not a subject that might be included in a program of studies, but rather a broad field of education that serves a democratic society in addition to general education. Its chief purpose is to fit individuals (male and female, youth and adults) for use in employment through the development of Attitudes, Skills, Knowledge, and Leadership, in an occupational area of their choice.

The Dauphin County Technical School Administration and the Joint Operating Committee support a four-part, competency-based educational program that enables students to:

• Develop basic and entry-level occupational skills
• Acquire techniques and related occupational knowledge
• Develop attitudes and work habits relative to the world of work
• Possess leadership traits through participation in vocational students organizations

In addition to specialized preparation for the world of work, strong emphasis is placed upon career development within the occupational spectrum of a given area, in order to further meet the needs of students and declared career objectives.

Although our main objective is to educationally prepare people for employment in business, agriculture and/or industry, certain students will undoubtedly prepare themselves for advanced training while still others will have prepared themselves for higher education as our educational organization and structure provides these individual options.

Furthermore, we are in total concert with the State Board of Education's eight (8) goals for Vocational Education to:

1. Develop, expand or modify quality vocational education so that all prospective secondary students will have had the opportunity to:
   a. enter the labor force with a marketable vocational skill
   b. learn a useful vocational skill
   c. acquire a basic vocational skill and continue at the post-secondary level
2. Promote the expansion, range and diversity of adult and post-secondary occupational education opportunities to facilitate:
   a. the entry/re-entry of persons into the labor force
   b. to provide upgrading or re-training for persons already employed/unemployed
3. Encourage alternative forms of vocational/occupational education to broaden the options available to students.
4. Intensify articulation efforts between secondary and post-secondary vocational/occupational education programs.
5. Support a greater understanding of educational/career options by expanding vocational guidance, counseling and job placement services and providing occupational experiences for students.
6. Foster a concerted effort to achieve equal educational opportunities by eliminating sex, racial/ethnic and linguistic bias, stereotyping and discrimination.
7. Strengthen the development and implementation of comprehensively planned programs to meet the needs of and demands for competent professional vocational teachers, counselors, supervisors, and administrators.
8. Develop and expand vocational education opportunities for the disadvantaged and handicapped.
   The school shall serve the community by assisting individuals, employers and organizations in offering on request special programs and courses for the benefit of both its youth and adults.

Adult Education Daytime
The Joint Operating Committee shall have the option of assuming responsibility for making its regular educational program available to adults. The Joint Operating Committee may or may not exercise such option.

Adult Learners in Daytime Programs
The Dauphin County Technical School may accept adult learners in daytime programs based on the following criteria:

1. Space must be available. The secondary students are the school's first priority. Available space will be determined by June 15 of the existing school year based upon secondary student interest in each area. Adults will be placed on a waiting list according to a chronological date of application.
2. Adult residents of Central Dauphin, Derry Township, Lower Dauphin, Susquehanna Township, Middletown and Halifax School districts have priority over non-residents.
3. No adult student may be enrolled whose high school class has not graduated.
4. All applicants will be placed on an initial twenty (20) day school probation period to determine their continuance. Adults must abide by the Rules and Regulations set forth by the Adult Student Handbook.

All objectives of this policy are to provide occupational training opportunities for those persons who are underemployed or unemployed. Programs will also provide occupational training for persons entering or re-entering the job market. Occupational training will also be provided for persons wishing to change their career fields. A close working relationship with business and industry is also an objective of adult and continuing education.

The admittance to and the attendance in a public school is a responsibility and a privilege dependent upon compliance with School Code and those Rules and Regulations established by the Administration. When a student fails to comply with those reasonable Rules and Regulations designed to protect the rights and to guarantee the safety and welfare of all students, the privilege of attending the school will be revoked.

The Administration and teaching staff recognize the right of all students to be treated with dignity and fairness and will at no time infringe on that right.

Application Procedures

Adult daytime programs are designed for individuals whose high school class has graduated. It utilizes available space in existing daytime programs and provides the student with vocational skill training.

To apply for acceptance into the program, an individual must contact the Continuing Education Office and request an application packet consisting of an application for forms to secure the required adult clearances (Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and Request for Criminal Record Check). After completing and securing the proper clearances, contact the Continuing Education Office to set-up an appointment for an interview with the shop instructor and the Continuing Education Coordinator. After a successful interview and if you agree to conform to the policies and rules of the day program you will be accepted into the program. The training programs are operated in such a way that acceptance is possible throughout the school year. Preference will be given to adult residents of the six sending school districts.

All correspondence and inquiries should be directed to:

Dauphin County Technical School
6001 Locust Lane
Harrisburg, PA 17109
Attention: Continuing Education Office
Telephone: (717) 652-3170 Ex 118
FAX: (717) 901-6764
Email: bethmarshall@dcts.org 

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