A four-phase systematic approach to evaluating human resource development (HRD) programs and/or courses was developed. The approach consists of four distinct, yet interrelated phases: select evaluation targets; develop the evaluation plan; collect and analyze information/data; and prepare an evaluation report. First, 23 potential evaluation…

Reports on a study of the relationship of several measures of educational quality to labor market outcomes among 4,000 workers in Bogota, Colombia. Finds that the score on university entrance examinations and the university's prestige have a significant positive impact on the earnings and occupational status of adults. (CFR)

Reports on a study of data from the March 1980 Current Population Survey about the impact of the number of high school diplomas and their value in the labor market. Finds that, although traditional economic models suggest that a large number of diplomas diminishes their value, the queuing model shows that it could be an asset. (CFR)

Reports on a study of the impact of formalized school-based job-referral procedures among 94 students in vocationally oriented Japanese high schools. Finds that the process achieves a meritocratic allocation of jobs and a smooth entry into the workforce for most students. (CFR)

Uses the Nominal Group Technique to determine Illinois business education teachers' responses to perceived challenges. Finds geographic differences in challenges faced by business educators and suggests strategies, including preservice and inservice teacher education, for coping with constantly changing issues and needs. Participants identified…

Discusses educational equality and inequality from an economist's perspective. Considers human capital theory and interpretation of life cycles in learning and earning. Addresses schooling and experience components of changes in the inequality of earned incomes, educational expansion, and inequalities in schooling. Explores the roles of skill…

Provides a detailed examination of the "Dual System" of vocational education--a system combining compulsory part-time education with on-the-job training. Spells out the system's strong points and main problems and discusses issues such as labor supply and demand, educational/vocational discrimination against girls and women, and problem…

This publication contains materials from a forum on the changing nature of work (CNW) that brought together researchers and research users to hear how to use findings to improve vocational education and training (VET) in Australia. An overview of the program and biographical information on presenters and panel members follow. The next section…

This report summarizes the results of a project conducted to document the skills and behaviors that have been identified as essential for a work force facing the challenges of global competition in an environment of rapidly changing markets. The workplace competencies and foundation skills defined in "Skills and Tasks for Jobs: A SCANS…