Business leaders in Wisconsin cannot find the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) talent they need to stay competitive. Students' lagging performance in K-12 is a critical reason why. The good news is that the nation's most effective STEM education programs can help turn the tide. Wisconsin students have made some progress in…

This article will briefly narrate illustrative life stories of some of the 450 men and women who taught in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, between 1919 and 1949 and identify and explain how they employed these options to build occupational pathways. Taken together, these "microbiographies" show patterns in the life trajectories of ordinary…

Despite near-record unemployment rates in the region, southeast Wisconsin's healthcare sector faces a distinctive challenge: finding sufficient numbers of qualified and trained workers to fill current and future job openings. A May 2009 University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee analysis found that one out of every four full-time job openings and one out…

Though women are entering the paid work force in increasing numbers, their distribution across occupational categories is far from even. Women workers are clustered in traditional women's work jobs and represent only five percent of the nation's craft workers. In an effort to discover the motivations, experiences, and attitudes of women in…

Responses from 532 of 1,500 female technical college students in traditional training (280), nontraditional training (149), or gender-balanced (99) programs. Nontraditionals rated themselves higher on vocational self-efficacy, perceived opportunities, social support, and confidence. (SK)

This report provides information on the wages of specific traditional and nontraditional occupations in Rock County, Wisconsin, especially regarding women. The first section identifies "traditionally male" and "traditionally female" occupations. Two tables list occupations and number/percent of women in the occupations. Section…

Cooperative office education students with disadvantaged backgrounds remained in school longer, performed better in school, raised their level of aspiration, and improved employment opportunities for minority groups when compared to disadvantaged students not enrolled in cooperative education. (DM)

The Wisconsin Technical College System Board Phase V Equity Staff Development project continued staff development efforts to eliminate bias and stereotyping in vocational education. Based upon evaluations indicating a need for a postsecondary equity training model, five technical college equity representatives attended two planning sessions to…

CHOICES, a community model, was developed to be used by community organizations serving young women. The ultimate goal was to develop programs, using local resource persons, to help young women recognize and take advantage of the many options available to them in preparation for a fulfilling career. Other activities of the CHOICES project staff…

This publication presents district administrators and staff with a model for developing and implementing a career/vocational equity program. Chapter 1 presents an overview of the model and suggests a program framework. Chapters 2 through 5 address the first four of five phases of the model. Chapter 2 provides background and information needed to…

Two studies were made of part time adult education enrollees in Wisconsin: (1) a Spring 1967 study of relationships between demographic or socioeconomic data and information on reasons for course participation in the vocational system; (2) a study during the 1967-68 school year in which questionnaires were given, to vocational system course…

A study analyzed attitudinal and demographic factors that influence women's choices of traditional and nontraditional training programs. A career choice survey was constructed, based on results of responses by four focus groups to questions regarding training program selection. The survey was completed by 532 women students in 15 technical…

Observes the changes in public education that occurred along the Wisconsin frontier. As the territory progressed, education changed from a winter-term only enterprise lead by male farmer/teachers to a full term lead by professionally trained women teachers. Identifies professionalization as the greatest influence on the feminization of teaching.…

A study assessed the needs of Wisconsin single parents, homemakers, and displaced homemakers and identified barriers they encounter in obtaining education, training, and employment. A total of 770 new participants from 15 vocational/technical colleges responded to the written survey; 335 responded to the program completers' survey; 15 lead staff…

The Phase II Equity Staff Development project was revised in response to a need to develop an equity strategic planning model with a vision statement, goals, and objectives. The Equity Strategic Planning Model was presented to administrators of Wisconsin Vocational, Technical, and Adult Education (VTAE) colleges for their use in district strategic…