After several years, a teacher looked at Rose's records and discovered that Rose had been misplaced in the vocational track.

The general secondary stage includes 3 years of education, whereas the secondary vocational track could be for 3-5 years.

From the 2004 data, it is estimated that 30 percent of the secondary students have opted for the vocational track.

"It's not clear that this is going to be an optional vocational track," she said.

Black women have long been professional cooks, a vocational track that evolved from the days when they were domestic employees.

Traditionally, there were academic, general, and vocational tracks, identified by the kind of preparation they provide.

By 2003, all students, even those on a vocational track, will have to pass five Regents exams to get a diploma.

Students are placed in vocational, general, or academic tracks based on test scores.

The D classes were considered the vocational track.

Although a vocational track is available to those who do not pass the exam, few students elect that option because of its poor quality.