The conventional wisdom today holds that educational upgrading necessarily leads to chronic and mass underemployment. This article provides a more balanced perspective on this issue by pointing out some of the plausible and positive consequences of educational upgrading. (Author)

The focus of the current high school reform movement goes beyond qualifying students to enter college. It extends to raising the rigor of coursework so that students are prepared for college-level classes, rather than forced to enter remedial courses. This need is based on extensive study of the gap between college admissions criteria and the more…

The Montana Council on Vocational Education conducted a business and industry survey in February 1993 to recommend initiatives and methods the private sector could undertake to assist in the modernization of vocational education programs. A representative sample of the various types and sizes of Montana businesses were selected. Surveys were…

Synthesis of cooperative education research from the United States and Canada since the 1970s suggests the need to standardize the data gathering process so that data can be gathered and compared across studies. (JOW)

Discusses ways in which to attract entry-level employees for high-demand jobs. Encourages the use of benchmarking to keep salaries rational, the use of incentives beyond the base salary, a careful review of compensation philosophy, the use of performance-based incentives and continual training, and the problems with salary compression. (RJM)

Review of methodology for assessing the employment "success" of higher education graduates finds that graduate and employer surveys generally to do not serve this purpose well. It finds, however, that despite substantial methodological problems, institutions can implement expert guidance to obtain targeted feedback related to…

This paper discusses the use of videotapes furnished with the "Valise du Francais des Affaires" from the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris to teach business French. In the videotapes, French employers discuss the type of employee they would like to hire, and the problems they have encountered in some of the interviews they have…

This paper synthesizes empirical studies from the past 12 years concerning the realities of the workplace for adults with learning disabilities (LD). Employer perspectives address awareness and knowledge, productivity, training, self-advocacy, and reasonable accommodations. Employee perspectives cover advocacy, disclosure, self-knowledge, and…

Assembles a number of short takes that describe how some human resource professionals have changed their operations to upgrade their bottom line. Includes: Deloitte & Touche, Andersen Consulting, Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Brown & Root, AT&T, Ford Motor Company, and The Monsanto Company. Provides advice and tips. (JBJ)

Research offers educators information on the skills that will be needed by office employees as new technologies are introduced into the workplace. Surveys and studies sponsored by private organizations as well as private businesses indicate that employers still require secretaries to have a solid foundation in the more traditional secretarial…

Examined the extent and nature of employer workplace initiatives based on interviews with New Orleans (Louisiana) employers. Bolstered other research findings of progress but continued limited workplace implementations of formal, family-supportive programs. Found modifications of formal and informal policies extended organizational family…

This bulletin focuses on the benefits of engaging employers in school-to-work systems. It begins with a rationale for convincing employers that they must play a more active role in partnerships with schools and communities. The next section highlights strategies that school-to-work practitioners have successfully used to build employer involvement…

This paper provides tips for approaching employers and labor union representatives on the issue of hiring more women in nontraditional occupations, suggesting ways to respond to common excuses for not hiring women in such occupations. The paper first lists general strategies for developing a good working relationship with employers and union…

Economic competitiveness is today's most critical issue. Keeping the United States competitive in the world marketplace means the difference between a rising standard of living for everyone and the disappearance of what is taken for granted as a way of life. Developing human capital is the route toward successful competition, as some examples…

Stable, long-term career security is becoming a thing of the past, requiring new ways of thinking about, and framing relationships among, work, organizations, payment, and value for effort. Describes "portfolio career" concept with which individuals recognize their value to organizations comes about because of skills held that produce results.…