This report describes the status of gender and race/ethnicity enrollments in vocational programs in Connecticut's comprehensive high schools. Data are based on a sample of nine representative schools in urban, rural, and suburban communities. Enrollment data for the 1988-89 school year are from the State Department of Education and represent eight…

Based on the results of focus groups, Connecticut's Non-Traditional Opportunities Task Force concluded that despite substantial effort, there is still not enough support for women who wish to enter nontraditional jobs. Recommendations were made for changes in the following areas: (1) redesign of math and science courses; (2) teacher preparation…

A study of the experiences of girls in technology education courses in three Connecticut middle schools examined the impact of these experiences on the students' decisions about whether to take more technology classes in high school. Another focus was girls' attitudes toward careers in technological fields. Five basic types of data were gathered:…

A study examined the role of guidance in girls' decisions about whether or not to take technology education as an elective in high school and to consider future careers in technological fields. The researchers reviewed the literature on guidance and looked at the results of interventions designed to attract girls to nontraditional fields. Eighteen…

A total of 146 students enrolled in 21 programs in 11 vocational-technical (VT) schools participated in a 9-month qualitative study. Focus group interviews were conducted throughout Connecticut; all interviewees were students enrolled in shops nontraditional for their gender. Females reported four reasons for attending a VT school: family legacy,…