The Change Of Australia's Secondary Vocational Education (1949-1975)

After nearly a hundred years of reform and development,Australia has established a rich characteristic secondary vocational education system of its own,which has effectively promoted its social progress and economic development.Based on the Burton Clark's "Coordination Triangle" theory,this paper analyzes the deep reasons of the system changes of Australia's secondary vocational education from the aspects of government,market and academic power.In accordance with the years of the government alternation,it narrates the history of its secondary vocational education from the end of World Warâ…¡to the latter half of the 20th century in three stages,namely planning stage,implementation stage and perfecting stage.Planning stage(1949-1966),based on the overview of the beginning,rudiment and development of the secondary vocational education since the 19th century,this paper expounded the influence of politics,economy and society,esp.Wyndham report to the secondary vocational education.This stage made necessary preparations for the reform development and its system establishment.Implementation stage(1966-1971),from the developmental process of the post-war secondary vocational education,the author argues about establishment and popularity of the comprehensive secondary schools as well as their curriculum reform.This paper makes an overall introduction to the situation of the secondary vocational education represented by the State of Victoria and makes a profound analysis of a series of measures to the vocational education reform and the curriculum provision.In this period,secondary vocational education was developed by leaps and bounds and a more complete secondary vocational education system with strong Australia characteristics was initially set up.Moreover,its development was not easy,and it was accompanied with both supporters and opponents.Perfecting stage(1971-1975),analyzing the new situation and problems in the process of the secondary vocational education reform the paper focused on an overall presentation that the government started with the legislation and policies to strengthen the macro-management and increased the investment in education.The academic groups played an important role in the course.Therefore,in order to make the secondary vocational education system more sophisticated and improved,each state was eager to establish a nationally recognized inherent consistent certificate,diploma and degree framework and gradually promoted the integration of vocational education and general education.Throughout the post-war Australia's secondary vocational education reform and development,it can be found that Australian secondary vocational education has made remarkable achievements and its feature is also obvious.Under the guidance of scientific development,we must face the reality and gradually establish innovative secondary vocational education system which is suitable to China's national conditions through practice, research and exploration.Specifically speaking,our secondary vocational education system should be integrated,diversified,lifelong,innovative with Chinese characteristics.