As long as vocational education is presented as an investment in the future, it must stand the test of economic evaluation. Research on its economic effectiveness is essential to more informed public policy and support for vocational programs. (SK)

Theory and methodology to study the elation of professional training programs to large scale socioeconomic trends are specified. Times series analyses of both Berkeley and of a quite different counseling program at San Francisco State demonstrate the capabilities of the approach. Practical implications and further application are discussed.…

With the help of parents and employers, Texas schools are helping special needs students to compensate for their disabilities, accept their handicaps, and achieve success in a vocation. Special education students attend a vocational adjustment class to develop basic job skills. (LRA)

Describes the Comprehensive Vocational Motivation Program for high school students with special needs. The program includes personal and vocational counseling, help in locating social services, development of vocational skills and part-time employment, motivation activities, and crisis intervention. Programs are tailored to individual needs. (JAC)

Discusses the value of using community jobs in the career education of handicapped students, and presents a model for developing an effective program. When preceded by appropriate classroom activities, the community job reinforces social skills training and career awareness. (JAC)

Describes a personalized employment and assistance program developed and implemented for international students. The program provides personal contacts that cut through bureaucracy and give students readily accessible means of helping themselves. (JAC)

Reports findings from a survey of 385 supported employment agencies on their use of natural supports in time-lined and extended services. Eighty-five percent reported that their agencies emphasize natural supports and that these supports have been successful. Resistance to natural supports by employers and coworkers is discussed. (Author/CR)

This study examined placement outcomes for 133 individuals (most aged 17 to 21) with mental retardation or severe learning disability. Nearly 50% of the men but only 1% of the women were competitively employed. Results suggest the need for more rehabilitation training for women, focusing on self-determination skills (assertiveness, self-advocacy,…

Examines strategies to optimize hiring effectiveness for new employees. Discusses how to develop a philosophical, legal, and ethical personnel structure. Presents basic principles for making personnel decisions. Discusses basic steps in making effective hiring decisions, including identifying job prerequisites, looking at a reasonable number of…

Presents results of the annual placements and salaries survey of library schools. Highlights include job trends; a rise in salaries; gender issues; minorities; placements by region and by type of organization; graduates' attitudes; the need to teach more technology; average salaries; and a comparison of salaries by type of organization. (LRW)

The long-term employment of 51 moderately mentally retarded clients who were placed into 64 supported employment positions was evaluated relative to 10 training and post-training components in a supported employment training package. Three components differentiated successful from unsuccessful employment: client advocate, collateral behavior, and…

Describes a Montana project to improve vocational education and facilitate the transition from school to work for rural, special needs students. Examines the duties of the vocational resource educator, as consultant to 11 school districts and coordinator with adult service agencies and employers in the community. (SV)

Reports on a survey of university advertising media teachers regarding textbooks and instructional aids used, teaching techniques, computer applications, student placement, instructor background, and faculty publishing. (SR)

A three-step program to assist people with disabilities in identifying their on-the-job accommodation needs, understanding their rights to accommodations and procedures for requesting them, and communicating needs to employers is outlined. Student personnel workers can use the approach to prepare graduating students to advocate for themselves…

This second discussion of a survey of library schools and library education examines a variety of topics, including student applications and enrollment; student placement and student satisfaction; budgets; external funding; economic problems; faculty research productivity; faculty retirements; position of the library school within the university;…