This dissertation examines the impact of state educational programs on the economics of education and labor, focusing on the New York State (NYS) STEM Incentive Program and China's tuition-free policy for vocational secondary education (VSE). The first two Chapters analyze the effects of the NYS STEM Incentive Program, an initiative implemented in…

An increasing number of countries are moving to second-generation teacher career models, where differentiation is made between teachers on the basis of their performance rather than on their qualifications or length of service. Career structures that widen the opportunities available to teachers appear to be the most promising for teacher…

As the link between teacher quality and student performance becomes increasingly apparent, education leaders have invested significant time and energy into recruiting high-quality educators. Unfortunately, chronic teacher shortages have undercut these efforts, and many school leaders continue to struggle with staffing each year. A closer…

STEM--science, technology, engineering, and mathematics--is critical to and supportive of many education reforms being undertaken today, from adoption of common internationally benchmarked standards to better teacher preparation to enhanced coordination across the entire K-20 education system. In fact, STEM is not a separate reform movement at…

A report is given of a survey of 170 sophomores enrolled in advanced English classes and 205 sophomores enrolled in regular English classes. The students were questioned about their career expectations, their perceptions of teaching as a career, and current incentives for entry into the teaching profession. Findings indicated that only a small…

A career ladder for teachers has been used in Great Britain for over 40 years. The ladder contains five steps with teachers progressing up the ladder by competitive promotion. This study investigated the historical development, structure, and consequences on teacher behavior of the career ladder system used in the United Kingdom. The study was…

Many problems arise from inaccurate expectations for preservice teacher education and its relationship to what goes on in elementary and secondary schools. Preservice education is expected to provide schools with a continuous supply of highly qualified candidates. However, preservice teacher education exerts little proactive control over teacher…

Proposes categories of teacher ability that make it possible to increase Soviet teacher salaries depending on the results of certification, seniority, and class size. Urges economic motivation as an incentive to attract better candidates to the teaching profession. Criticizes the present practice of awarding salary increases for length of service,…

A questionnaire was administered to 1403 twelfth grade students in the Bahamas who were described as potentially eligible to pursue college-level work leading to teacher certification. Student opinions were sought on teacher training programs at the College of the Bahamas, conditions of teaching employment, characteristics of students in secondary…

An analysis of data on teachers indicates coming changes in recruitment and retention of the American teaching force, in the quality of teachers, and in the attractiveness of teaching as a profession. New recruits to teaching are less academically qualified than those who are leaving, and shortages of qualified teachers in subjects such as…

These Congressional hearings contain testimony pertaining to the passage of women's career choice equity legislation. The hearings were convened to determine whether federal law, either directly or indirectly, regulates economic opportunities for women in such a way as to alter their career choice between paid employment and homemaking. During the…

Methods of attracting, preparing, and retaining a solid cadre of dedicated, effective teachers in Wisconsin's schools are considered. Ideas and programs are offered for local school boards, the state legislature, teachers and administrators, and the general public. Specific recommendations are made on: (1) attracting competent individuals to…

The principal justification for the federal government's long-term and substantial support of vocational education programs is the need to provide opportunities for American workers, particularly those without marketable skills from lower income and minority families, to develop job-related skills. In recent decades, Congress has enacted several…

Expanding and rethinking the nature of secondary education in Sub-Saharan African countries, traditionally reserved for elites and few others, are becoming crucial to successful individual and national participation in the global economy. As governments and donors turn their attention increasingly to secondary education, policies are being…

The Girls to Women Initiative was undertaken by a group of Maryland professionals and volunteers to identify and help meet the needs of Maryland's girls and young women in the 21st century. The professionals and volunteers researched and held conferences examining gender-specific issues concerning health and lifestyle, family life, education, and…