Debate continues about the appropriate role for vocational education at the secondary level. The many educational reform reports issued during the early to mid-1980s initiated a reexamination of the role of secondary vocational education. As a result of the reform reports, high school graduation requirements in academic areas have increased, and…

The limited data available on secondary vocational education indicates that secondary vocational education is important. The leadership of the country and of Minnesota have recognized this through legislative endeavor and expenditures for programs. Analyses of statistics show that at least 78 percent of high school students need quality education…

This volume is part of a series that is designed to promote stronger ties between the educational resources in the Northeast and Midwest and the economic development process. This monograph examines programs that develop the employment potential of those youth who are not likely to make it on their own. It first looks at the problem of youth…

These 10 papers focus on the key to excellence in vocational education in light of teacher assessment and effective assessment systems, challenges to testing students and teachers and the legal implications, basic and employability skills, and the need for vocational teacher technological update strategies. "Introduction and Colloquium…

This Ohio Competency Analysis Profile (OCAP), derived from a modified Developing a Curriculum (DACUM) process, is a current comprehensive and verified employer competency program list for electronics. Each unit (with or without subunits) contains competencies and competency builders that identify the occupational, academic, and employability…

This food production, management, and services teacher guide contains nine units: (1) orientation; (2) types of service; (3) table settings; (4) dining room personnel; (5) dining room procedures; (6) side work; (7) guest/employee relationships; (8) sales techniques; and (9) safety and sanitation. Suggestions are included to increase reinforcement…

These four articles focus on developing basic reading, science, and job search skills: "Reading Program for Vocational Classes" by Augustus Luparelli; "Why Teach Employability Skills?" by Larry Siefferman; "Improving Vocabulary and Reading Skills" by Edythe Conway; and "Science in Everyday Life" by Virginia Eleazer and George Carney. (SK)

The resource manual was developed by a staff development project that trained both paid staff and volunteer tutors to integrate CASAS (Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System) as an assessment and curriculum tool. It is designed to assist tutors in linking task and skill competencies. The manual begins with an overview of assessment and…

A study examined the nature and extent of adult literacy needs in the American labor force. Data for the study were collected from a review of the literature, site visits to nine industry-based training programs, and consultation with a technical panel of experts. Input from company managers, instructors, and trainers familiar with the…

A solid body of empirical research supports the view that educational level is strongly related to occupational attainment. In the final analysis, however, it appears that although education does lead to a better job, how much better is determined by one's gender and race. Research on the relative need for training in basic, general employability…

This book proposes restructuring the education system using the principles and practices used by successful businesses during the past 15 years of rapid change. It suggests that the skills taught by schools today, even if test scores measure them as improving, are not sufficient for high school graduates in an increasingly-changing, challenging…

The employability of secondary-level youth is considered by a youth employment company official in testimony to the National Commission on Excellence in Education. Attention is directed to ways in which young people, and particularly the economically disadvantaged, can acquire the necessary reading, writing, and math skills for on-the-job success.…

This paper contains an overview and suggested competencies for a competency-based life skills training program for adults with special needs. The goal of the program is to provide a meaningful, high quality education and training program for adults with special needs that will lead to mastery of the life skills needed to maximize independence,…

This tip sheet outlines the steps academic and vocational educators can take to document the skills needed in the workplace, the skills their students will need in the future, and those currently being taught in the curriculum. Step 1, visit a workplace, includes these activities: choosing the workplace to visit and calling to make arrangements,…

This document consists of the woodyard skills handbook and an employee handbook for woodyard employees of Boise Cascade. The handbooks are products of a National Workplace Literacy project conducted by Alabama Southern Community College. The woodyard skills handbook contains information needed by employees to improve math, measurement, vocabulary,…