Dear Class Members,
I hope that everyone has fared okay during these difficult times and that you and your family are safe and well. With respect to the progression of my argument, I have been able to widen my database of available resources using specific key words, which has allowed me to find studies and articles that align more closely to my area of study. Whereas, I had started my search with the use of “community college” and “vocational/ career-based programs”, I have been able to extend the variety of resources by simply replacing “vocational programs” with “internships”, which specifies a critical component of vocational programs in community colleges. In turn a relatively minor change has resulted in significant progress, which has enabled me to further develop my argument. I have established my main argument in support of increasing financial funding toward the implementation and expansion of vocational programs with a focus on transfer that demonstrate an integration of vocational and academic programs in community colleges. Vocational programs were originally established as a bridge toward workforce development and known as terminal programs but over times, changes in structure and objective have resulted in successful programs that integrate the main objective of transfer programs and the coursework found in academic programs. I seek to established the importance of the effective allocation of funding toward vocational programs with a transfer focus that demonstrates increased levels of receptivity to the needs of a diverse student base and have shown to bolster social integration, expectations and ultimately transfer rates.
