The Reconstruction of Community College Vocational Education

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this article is to explain how central points developed in Dewey’s 1916 Democracy and Education provide the rationale needed to adopt institutional and policy recommendations made by Grubb and Lazerson in their 2004 book, The Education Gospel: The Economic Power of Schooling. Method: The central points of Grubb and Lazerson’s work, and the policy agenda offered to guide reforms, are reviewed. Results: The authors describe how a Deweyan view of education and democracy may provide the motivation and guidance needed to move forward on the Grubb and Lazerson agenda to benefit community college vocational education. Contributions: The argument advanced in this article reveals that a meaningful reconstruction of community college vocational education will require implementation of institutional reforms and public policy reforms. This reconstruction will also require, however, a normative vision to motivate policy makers, educators, and citizens.