Date of Award:

5-1969

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Applied Sciences, Technology, and Education

Department name when degree awarded

Business Education

Committee Chair(s)

Floris S. Olsen

Committee

Floris S. Olsen

Committee

Ted Stoddard

Committee

Ted Ivarie

Abstract

Statement of Purpose: The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to ascertain the value of the training received in the one-year shorthand program at the Cedar City High School, Cedar City, Utah, as indicated by the graduates of the program; and (2) to suggest ways in which the Cedar City High School business education department may improve the curricula insofar as the one-year shorthand program is concerned.

Methods and Sources Used: A follow-up study in the form of a survey was made of the graduates of Cedar City High School who participated in the one-year shorthand program. Permission to perform the study was obtained from the school administration, and names of participants were taken from the school records. A questionnaire containing pertinent information was sent to each graduate participating in the program during the years 1959-1960 and 1965-1966. The responses of each were compiled as a part of this thesis.

Summary of Findings: After graduating from the vocational shorthand program, students are finding jobs which require little or no shorthand skill. With 29 out of 76 graduates finding employment in which they can use their shorthand skill, a great deal of information and sources need to be made available to students concerning shorthand job opportunities.

Thirty of the graduates made an effort to strengthen their shorthand skills in business college, junior college, and university programs. Sixty-two (72 per cent) of the responding graduates indicated a lower ability level in shorthand than they had attained in high school. Students may not be aware of the educational opportunities available in the community in which they can refresh their shorthand skills.

The stenographic office practice course is not used to provide practice in dictation and transcription. Sixty per cent of the graduates were allowed to skip this valuable part of the course in which reinforcement of shorthand skills can be accomplished. Evidently, students would rather take other courses in the school curriculum than continue with the advised shorthand program.

Students do not seem to be developing high rates of transcription speeds because of the limited time available in which the skill is taught, learned, and developed. Evidently dictation and transcription skills are taught and learned as separate activities instead of as a fusion of both. The low proficiency demonstrated in transcription activities (18 to 25 words a minute ) may indicate the need for a fused program.

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