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Vocational Education, Status of GED Program
and the Bilingual Education Program.
March 23, 2004 – Senator Ronald E. Russell, chair of the Committee on Education and Youth, would like to inform the public of the upcoming committee meeting to take testimony from officials responsible for Vocational Education, the GED program and Bilingual Education in the Territory. The meeting will be held on Monday, March 29 at the Legislative Conference room on St. Croix at 4:00 p.m.
The committee is requesting comprehensive information on three important components of education: (1) the deficiencies and needs of vocational education; (2) GED testing procedures; enrolment demographics; and general information regarding the program; and (3) the scope of bilingual education in the territory, as well as comprehensive information regarding its needs, deficiencies and vision.
"These are three components of education that need a closer look," said Senator Russell, "the citizens of the Virgin Islands have a right to quality education. All students should graduate with a vocational skill or trade, whether or not they plan to attend college. Adults who want to better themselves and increase their earning capacity have a right to be able to take the GED exam. Finally, we have a responsibility to our Spanish speaking population to offer a quality bilingual program," concluded Senator Russell.
Once again, Senator Russell encourages the public to attend or tune in to this important committee meeting and to call or write his office for information.