Funding threats have long loomed over career and technical education (CTE). However, congressional advocates have faithfully preserved investments in CTE--until fiscal year 2011. Global competition and a weak economy are game changers in terms of how policymakers perceive the value of CTE and education overall. And the CTE community must convince…

For many years, the university sector has been the dominant provider of higher education in Australia. However, recent changes in government policy which have broadened access to publicly-funded subsidised student loans have resulted in the emergence of small and large private higher education providers and consortiums offering English language,…

"Impact" is a notion that is not very well understood in research. Within Australian higher education, it has been bandied about within such frameworks as the "Research Quality Framework" ("RQF") and Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). Vocational education and training (VET) research is not immune from these…

This article features the University Council for Workforce and Human Resource Education, a nonprofit organization representing leading United States universities that offer graduate programs in career and technical education (CTE) and human resource development (HRD). The mission of the Council is to be a recognized force in shaping the future of…

Describes three programs successfully integrating vocational and academic education: (1) Dauphin County Technical School (Pennsylvania), which uses the cluster concept; (2) St. Mary's (Maryland) Technical Center's tech prep program; and (3) Frederick Vocational-Technical Center (Maryland), which offers core course mastery and a systems approach to…

The Eastern Pennsylvania Lead Teacher Consortium, a regional network for professional development of vocational teachers, demonstrates that lead teachers' work must be tied to student learning outcomes, ideas and practices must be communicated to building-level staff, and regional consortia need a dedicated funding source. (SK)

Describes the Southern Regional Education Board-State Vocational Education consortium, which envisions a major change in the way vocational education is delivered. Students must be educated for jobs, not trained for them. (JOW)

Common mistakes of tech prep consortia are (1) sacrificing effectiveness for efficiency; (2) poor labor market analysis; (3) superficial curriculum reorganization; and (4) no mechanism for continuity and poor communication. (SK)

The Alaska Human Resources Investment Council developed a blueprint to guide a system that is needs-driven, accessible, interconnected, accountable, sustainable, and has collaborative governance. Vocational Technical Education Providers (VTEP) representing secondary education, technical schools, proprietary institutions, the University of Alaska,…

Describes how nine Ohio secondary vocational schools and community colleges formed a marketing consortium to create a long-range plan for promoting their services. Offers information on how to form a consortium. (JOW)

Tech Prep is a federal education initiative funded by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act initially authorized in 1990 then reauthorized in 1998. Texas HB 2401 subsequently established the parameters for the operation of Tech Prep in Texas. Texas has 26 regional consortia that coordinate the delivery of services between…

This article reviews the development of Community Consortia for Education and Training (CCET) in Wales, and explores their role in the development of a cohesive post-16 learning strategy. The article examines the development of the formation of one such consortium as a case study. A range of challenges are identified for making effective progress.…

Describes the Agricultural Satellite Corporation, a consortium of universities and organizations established to conduct agricultural information and instructional services through advanced telecommunications. Looks at incentives that can motivate faculty to plan and deliver distance education programs. (JOW)

Provides 20 questions and answers concerning the process by which a British center of outdoor education, training, or recreation can become approved to award national vocational qualifications. Discusses institutional evaluation procedures, issues of educational competence, fees, and consortium arrangements for small centers. (SV)

Investigates the urban public community college system to assess its contributions to educational reforms, especially in the area of vocational education. The authors include an analysis of the role of tech-prep in school-to-work transition programs. (GR)