Dr. Edward White, Hillsborough High School principal, has decided to allocate faculty in-service time to address an unproductive chasm between academic and career and technical education programming within the school, which has created tensions among the faculty. On returning to his office after the professional development session, which was…

Responses from 639 Illinois high schools and vocational centers (96%) indicated that 55% used integration strategies for vocational and academic education; 80% conducted integration-related staff development. However, only 32% give academic credit for vocational courses and most of the strategies used were low level. (SK)

Survey responses from 47 of 49 Illinois community colleges and interviews with 20 staff show that the predominant approach to academic-vocational integration is applied academics. Less evident are multidisciplinary courses, linked or cluster courses, and learning communities. Many barriers result from the long-standing separation of vocational and…

This report contains the profiles of state-sponsored extended learning initiatives in California, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Texas. They address the need to provide extra time and opportunity for students who have difficulty meeting today's standards, and for students who are meeting standards during the school day, but want…

To make the junior high/middle school curriculum more responsive to early adolescents, Illinois teachers evolved the ACT curriculum. Its three missions are applied academics, career exploration, and technological literacy, organized around themes relevant to the lives of young people. (SK)

A review of the draft Illinois Academic Standards was conducted to identify changes to incorporate career-related and employability aspects of the academic content. Activities included collection and review of materials on state standards or equivalent state initiatives as well as national and other initiatives. Promotion of the project's primary…

"National CrossTalk" is a publication of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education. The National Center promotes public policies that enhance opportunities for quality education and training beyond high school. The primary purpose of "National CrossTalk" is to stimulate informed discussion and debate of higher…

This report, produced by the Illinois Community College Board, summarizes the results of academic, career and technical education, adult education, and developmental education programs that were reviewed during fiscal year 2004. Summaries include both program strengths and the common challenges colleges face in keeping instruction relevant while…

A pilot study (first phase of a 2-year study) was conducted to identify individual teachers who had begun integrating academic and vocational education before the development of state or national integration initiatives such as tech prep. The teachers were identified through a procedure involving nominations of exemplary vocational education…

Quality Assurance Program (QAP) integration activities were studied at eight Illinois community and junior colleges. Data collection involved telephone interviews with career deans at the colleges, 11 follow-up site observations, and attendance at a regional vocational education system directors meeting. When classroom observations occurred,…

The Illinois Systems of Public Higher Education are described and analyzed. The final result of a decade of rapid expansion in Illinois was a state system of higher education that consists of four governance systems for senior universities and a community college system, involving 12 universities and five coordinating staffs. It is the…

This report summarizes the results of academic, career and technical, adult education, and developmental education programs that were reviewed during fiscal year 2006. It highlights and summarizes accountability activities and initiatives described by Illinois' 48 community colleges in their Accountability/Program Review Reports for fiscal year…

The goal of an articulated secondary/postsecondary tech prep project was to develop a model curriculum to prepare students to enter a postsecondary program leading to an associate of applied science degree. Continuing study at a four-year university would also be an option. Six schools participated as tech prep sites. Each site formed a team…

Illinois State University and University of Illinois faculty collaborated to pilot test and evaluate Applied Academics curricula in Illinois. Three sets of pilot sites included the following: (1) 14 local education agencies that pilot tested Applied Communications and/or Mathematics; (2) 10 sites at which vocational teachers collaborated with…

The Illinois Council on Vocational Education polled members of local school boards and administrators on their perceptions of vocational-technical education and business community participation in school programs and planning. The poll included surveys, discussions, and interviews. Two hundred eighty-three questionnaires were completed. At least…