This document contains eight papers from an action research program to foster good practice in adult literacy provision and policy. "Introduction" (J. Joy Cumming, Christina E. van Kraayenoord) presents an overview of the action research project and individual reports. "Assessment: Making a Difference in Adult Literacy and Numeracy…

A project was conducted to examine the health occupations education program in New York State. Through a series of committee meetings, members of the health professions and educators from high schools, colleges, technical institutes, and regional agencies discussed a number of issues that should be considered as the health occupations curriculum…

The first objective of this research project focused on organizing the large number of previously identified vocational special needs teacher competencies into an educational model. The model contained a matrix that compiled all these competencies into twelve domains of four performance phases each. The model provides a framework for all…

Two approaches to setting standards for the professional performance of teachers are contrasted. One involves a coherent professional belief system in which an internal standard is invoked within a conceptual framework. It is exemplified by Sigel's Distancing Model, and involves a theoretical standard for teacher performance and emphasizes the…

A critique is presented of the new teacher certification and program standards adopted by the State Board of Education of Alabama. The process by which these standards were developed is analyzed, and implications of developing these standards are examined. It is stated that the findings of two major studies of teacher education conducted in…

Federal laws have mandated meaningful access to higher education for the handicapped just as teacher training institutions are confronted with pressure to raise academic standards. This paper examines the underlying legal issues and proposes guidelines and procedures for ensuring quality preservice training for the learning disabled and all…

Second in a series on improving teacher education, the paper briefly explains and justifies a generalist-specialist model of teacher education and applies the framework to steps necessary to ensure adequate competence on the part of current teachers. (SB)

The effects of the Performance Based Teacher Education (PBTE) movement are categorized into six areas: (1) conscience-pricker; (2) clarifier of educational purpose; (3) bridge between theory and practice; (4) humanizer of educational process; (5) stimulator of research and development; and (6) change catalyst. (CJ)

An ecological model of accountability is presented as an alternative to the traditional "means-ends" approach. The essential differences between the two models in the use of goals are discussed and implications are offered. (JMF)

This report summarizes the views expressed by 25 speakers and in 13 written reports at the public meeting of the Pennsylvania Council on Vocational Education. Comments are summarized on the following 13 topics: school code regulations; technical institutes; consumer and homemaking education; business education; agriculture education; students with…

This executive summary provides an overview of activities and a listing of the recommendations and strategies developed by participants at a conference on vocational/technical education. These four major themes are highlighted: the need to improve the image of vocational education through better communication with the public and special interest…

TAFE (Technical and Further Education) is a multifaceted educational organization in Australia and few people in it, and even fewer outside, know about all its aspects outside their own areas of interest and expertise. This book provides information about some current aspects of TAFE, intended to give a broad perspective on 12 different issues.…

The French employers federation (MEDEF) has taken the initiative to develop a joint inter-sectoral mechanism for accreditation of occupational competences. The approach analyzes occupations at a more abstract level than the tasks performed within a specific job to facilitate comparison of different occupations from different sectors and allow…

The current status and prospects of upper secondary vocational education (USVE) in Taiwan were reviewed. The following were among the key findings: (1) in Taiwan, USVE is offered in all vocational high schools (VHS), the occupational programs in all comprehensive high schools (CHS), and some senior high schools (SHS); (2) students in VHS…

A case is made for the use of computer assisted instruction (CAI) in Child Development Associate (CDA) training programs conducted on-campus in conjunction with an educational curriculum or conducted off-campus in conjunction with child care programs. The following points are made: (1) CAI can be used to supplement and amplify a teacher's…