Discusses the impending shortage of school librarians. Topics include state hiring mandates that don't require certified media specialists; certified library personnel shortages; staffing ratios; support staff; access to library education programs, including distance education via the Internet; and future concerns. (LRW)

Rural job growth remains behind that of metro areas, hindering efforts to move welfare recipients into successful employment. Those most in need of public assistance have less education, lower earnings, and higher unemployment than average. Welfare recipients are concentrated in rural areas marked by chronic economic distress and low-skilled,…

Using the language and concepts of economic markets for the purpose of describing and evaluating the function and performance of educational institutions has been a common and growing practice throughout Western industrial societies for many years. The critique of such market analysis also has a long history. Critical assessments of market theory…

Getting people back to work has become a national concern. The nation's economy lost jobs as of July 2003 for six months in a row, dealing another blow to a slow reviving labor market. According to the Labor Department, 486,000 jobs disappeared from the economy. And, the Employment Development Department in California reported a decline of 21,800…

Provides a detailed examination of the "Dual System" of vocational education--a system combining compulsory part-time education with on-the-job training. Spells out the system's strong points and main problems and discusses issues such as labor supply and demand, educational/vocational discrimination against girls and women, and problem…

To prosper in the future, unions will have to expand from their traditional blue-collar base, revise their approach to appeal to new worker values, and cooperate internationally. (IS)

A study investigated academic policy development at 80 research universities concerning the academic labor market, academic reward structure, faculty seniority and retirement, and institutional research and planning. Results confirmed the need for more flexible academic personnel policies in support of senior faculty development and renewal and…

Reports the results of a survey conducted by the British Library Research and Development Department regarding systems librarians' education and qualifications; experience and professional background; professional activities; how they communicate, including the use of journals and electronic mail; the job market; career prospects; and future…

Reports on a reevaluation study of the effects of high school vocational education on students' odds of being unemployed and students' occupational attainment. Finds that vocational education inhibits the likelihood of attending college and finding subsequent professional/managerial employment, but reduces the risk of unemployment. (CFR)

This report on the status of undergraduate programs in environmental science (ES) comprises information from 76 of 262 institutions that offer a bachelors degree in ES. The following areas are discussed (1) administrative arrangements, (2) curriculum requirements, (3) enrollments, and (4) directors' perceptions of the problems and positive aspects…

Two case studies address the relationship between dual labor markets and rural schools, particularly the demographic transformation of rural school districts that host meatpacking plants that recruit immigrant workers. These schools have experienced an increase in non- and limited-English-speaking students. Employee turnover is reflected in school…

Rapid tuition increases over the last few decades have made public institutions much less affordable than they once were. This and other policy changes may be affecting college enrollment rates across the country. This article examines how student preparation and college supply interact with the usual factors of tuition, financial aid, and family…

Short-term forecasting methods for assessing the number of students finishing schooling in France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom are reviewed. Types of data that are available for each country are discussed, as well as suggestions for data that need to be collected for more efficient forecasting. (Author/IS)

The structure of higher education in Switzerland is outlined and the roles of the universities, higher technical schools, and social schools are described. Also addressed are: research and higher education, the labor market, student characteristics, and the future outlook for Swiss higher education. (BH)

The article describes the objectives, curriculum, training area, equipment used and skills taught in the power linemen's instructional course in Muskingum Area Joint Vocational School (Zanesville, Ohio). The course has great appeal for those wishing to work outdoors and has a perfect job placement record. (SB)