The purpose of this study was to identify what essential elements contribute to success on the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Student Certification Exam. More specifically, variables such as the students' performance in major specific courses, placement exam scores, work experience, or preadmission experiences were considered. Research on the…

There is currently more focus than ever on the importance of earning a college degree. At the same time, many students and parents are dubious that America's expensive, one-size-fits-all higher education system can adequately educate students for an ever more diverse and sophisticated world of work. There are other educational options that are…

Partnerships between community colleges and employers to create apprenticeships have been around for decades. These traditionally have covered fields like the building trades--electrical, construction and others--as well as heavy manufacturing like the automobile industry. Inspired partly by a new federal apprenticeship consortium--and $175…

A 75% response from a survey of 161 agricultural, 131 home economics, 86 auto mechanics, and 70 carpentry teachers identified the best indicator of faculty commitment to vocational student organizations to be membership rate. Faculty in vocational schools to which students must be transported for part of the school day may be less committed. (SK)

A significant fraction of household hazardous waste (HHW) is generated by home mechanics who use such products as motor oil, cleaners and solvents, and batteries. This survey assessed the following aspects: (1) perceptions of their health-related effects; (2) perceptions of their pollution potential; and (3) their use and disposal. (LZ)

Pennsylvania secondary vocational educators were surveyed to determine their commitment to student organizations, community involvement, and their job satisfaction. The 31-item questionnaire assessed the commitment to student organizations (Future Farmers of America, Future Homemakers of America, and Vocational Industrial Clubs of America) and…

To investigate the feasibility of developing hands-on instruments to aid classroom teachers in assessing both entering and exiting skills of the special needs students in vocational education, a continuing project at the University of Pittsburgh was conducted to meet two major objectives: develop a definitive rationale for the design of a hands-on…

Designed for use by area vocational-technical schools and other vocational programs, this project developed courses of study in eight occupational areas: commercial art, appliance repair, automotive mechanics, graphic arts, building trades maintenance, building construction trades, diesel mechanics, and welding. Course-of-study development…