Professional Development Engagement (PDE) is defined as "the level of undergraduate engagement in professional development." It reflects career-related work preparation for "life after college" and is a distinct externally-focused component of student engagement (SE). The increased college retention and subsequent job placement…

Using logistic and multiple regressions, the authors investigated predictors of employment and postsecondary education outcomes of youth with autism in the Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Data were obtained from the RSA911 data set, fiscal year 2008. Findings showed that the odds of gaining employment were greater for youth who received job…

Across the nation, alternative-route program officials say they are seeing increasing enrollments from career-changers with strong backgrounds in the highly sought-after fields of math, science, and technology. But the extent to which school district administrators are primed to take advantage of larger--and in some cases stronger--talent pools in…

There are many strategic benefits that can be derived from a partnership program between a community college and regional high schools to offer early college credit to qualified students. Institutional research at North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) finds that these "acceleration programs" are improving student outcomes in a number…

The "attractor magnet" curricula in the Interdisciplinary Program at Suncoast Community High School (Florida) include drafting, technology, engineering technology, and communications technology. As an alternative to comprehensive high schools, it provides challenging college-prep programs to a diverse population. (JOW)

The director of a California program that places disabled youth into private sector jobs discusses the features of the program, approaches for other areas in developing similar projects, and cites the program's cost and employment benefits. (CL)

Suggests that partnerships between high schools and private high-tech companies are one way to ensure that students are learning skills that are relevant to today's workplace. Provides examples of partnerships that are working together to train tomorrow's technical work force. (JOW)

Examines the agreements Japanese high schools have with employers to hire their students, the reasons these ties are made, and the criteria used to select students. Indicates that competition for jobs is shifted from the labor market to schools and among schools. Reports that academic achievement has greater effects on jobs with linked employers…

An ecological model for employment preparation in high schools that is based upon successful post-school community job placement for students with severe handicaps is discussed. The paper addresses the functions of employment training, the components of a community-referenced model, and implications for model implementation. (Author/JDD)

Comparison of the community integration of 60 mildly retarded former special school students and 60 nonretarded regular school students found that 77% of special school students were employed (60% in open employment) compared to 80% of regular students; and that 55% of regular students had married compared to 12% of special students. (DB)

This article describes a summer work experience program for seven blind rural high school students in Ohio, consisting of two weeks of work evaluation/adjustment and eight weeks of paid work experience using job coaches. Results indicated success in improving participants' understanding of work-related issues in general. (Author/PB)

Occupation-specific education in high school lowers the dropout rate and increases wages and employment when training-related jobs are obtained. Unfortunately, most vocational graduates lack such employment. State funding formulas for local vocational programs should be based on the school's success at job placement, not on recruitment for…

Four significant factors affecting enrollment, completion, and student job placement were identified by 59 of 92 occupational home economics teachers surveyed: school type, student cooperative programs, numbers of academically disadvantaged, and teacher field experience. Job placement was the weakest area. (SK)

Discusses the Boston Compact, a 1982 agreement between Boston's business, governmental, and educational leaders to establish a system of priority hiring for high school graduates in return for the school system's assurance that it would improve education. Describes background and implementation since 1982, focusing on how well these goals have…

The Executive High School Internship Program in Tampa, Florida, involves gifted and talented high school seniors working for a semester as nonpaid administrative assistants in public or private sector organizations. The program's history, recruitment policies, placement practices, and monitoring are reviewed. (DB)