The outcomes states gain from investing in postsecondary financial aid programs remain hotly debated, leading to great interest in developing programs that are both cost-effective and productive in helping states meet goals. In the 2012-13 academic year, states collectively provided approximately $11.2 billion in financial aid to students enrolled…

Accelerating Opportunity (AO) combined integrated career pathways at two-year colleges with team teaching, acceleration strategies, supportive services, and policy changes. It aimed to help low-skilled adults earn occupational credentials, obtain well-paying jobs, and sustain rewarding careers. This final implementation report documents activities…

"Voices from the Field: Collaborative Innovations in Early Childhood Educator Preparation" is jointly published by the Illinois Education Research Council (IERC) and the Illinois Board of Education (IBHE), and highlights the accomplished work of many of the state's two- and four-year faculty to redesign early childhood educator…

Shifting Gears was launched in 2007 by the Joyce Foundation, a Chicago-based organization focused on improving the quality of life of citizens residing in the Great Lakes region of the United States. The primary goal of Shifting Gears is to increase the number of low-skilled, low-income Midwestern adults who obtain college-level occupational…

Describes and evaluates the Nigerian Manpower Project in a community college in Illinois during which two groups of Nigerian trainees were enrolled in an agricultural mechanics program. Describes the scope and restrictions of the project, the sources of student discontent, the ambiguity of project goals, and other specific problems. Presents…

The proposals for work force training put forth by the Clinton Administration offer unprecedented opportunities as well as risks for community colleges, particularly for community colleges in Illinois. These proposals are grounded in a world view that recognizes the need for public investment in employment and training, although this agenda for…

Economic development grants have had a significant impact on the economy of Illinois and have been an excellent investment for the state. Reports submitted by the state's community colleges indicate that they assisted nearly 5,700 newly established and existing businesses and industries during fiscal year (FY) 1988. The cornerstone of the…

In March 1995, a study was conducted to determine the level of satisfaction of Illinois community college graduates regarding the effectiveness of their education, their current employment, the occupational training received in major fields, and college services. A total of 2,508 occupational program graduates from 34 programs were surveyed…

These proceedings contain eight presentations: "Welcome from the Dean" (P. David Pearson); "Introduction" (Scott Johnson); "The Changing Workforce" (Alan McClelland); "The Changing Workforce: Implications for Secondary School Programs" (Franzie Loepp); "The Changing Workforce: Implications for Community…

A report and a bibliography are provided from a project designed to provide a greater understanding of sophisticated technologies and to provide direction for vocational education curriculum revision in Illinois. The report begins with an introduction. Section 2 provides a conceptual and operational understanding of sophisticated technologies by…

In this nine-part report to Illinois' General Assembly, the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) reviews Board powers and duties, and systemwide goals, financial resources, student characteristics and outcomes, educational programs, training and economic development activities, programs for special populations, and current issues of importance…

This document, which is intended as a guide for workforce preparation program providers, details the Illinois occupational skill standards for programs preparing students for employment in the meeting professional occupational cluster. It begins with a brief overview of the Illinois perspective on occupational skill standards and credentialing,…

This document, which is intended to serve as a guide for workforce preparation program providers, details the Illinois Occupational Skill Standards for programs preparing students for employment as entry-level truck drivers. The document begins with a brief overview of the Illinois perspective on occupational skill standards and credentialing, the…

This document, which is intended to serve as a guide for workforce preparation program providers, details the Illinois Occupational Skill Standards for occupational education in the floristry cluster. The document begins with a brief overview of the Illinois perspective on occupational skill standards and credentialing, the process used to develop…

This document, which is intended to serve as a guide for work force preparation program providers, details the Illinois occupational skill standards for programs preparing students for employment in jobs in agricultural sales and marketing. Agency partners involved in this project include: the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Community…