In 2023, the U.S. Department of Education announced the "Raise the Bar: Lead the World" initiative to use decades of research and professional experience to transform public education and advance education equity. There are three focus areas: (1) Achieve Academic Excellence; (2) Boldly Improve Learning Conditions; and (3) Create Pathways…

Now, more than ever, more adults must earn college credentials in order to earn family sustaining wages and to help fuel and sustain a robust national economy. That means that institutions of higher education must do all they can to help adult students enroll in college and complete a postsecondary credential. Achieving the Dream emphasizes a…

"Gauging Progress, Accelerating Pace" is the seventh biennial report to SREB states on their progress in meeting SREB's Challenge to Lead goals for education. Each customized state report documents progress on both measurable outcomes and state policies. Through effective policy implementation, the goals can help states drive…

This individual profile provides information on Arkansas' college and career readiness assessment policy. Some of the categories presented include: (1) CCR assessment policy; (2) Purpose; (3) Major changes in CCR assessment policy since the 2009-10 school year for financial reasons; (4) State financial support for students to take the CCR…

The Kuder Career Planning System administrative database results for the past five years have shown a low interest in the manufacturing career cluster among Arkansas students. The low student interest and shortage of high-skilled labor in manufacturing prompted the Arkansas Department of Career Education to invest grant funds in a new…

The Breaking Through (BT) initiative promotes an expanded and enhanced role for community colleges in providing access to college for low-skilled adults. BT is uniquely important in its systematic integration of adult education, developmental/remedial education, professional-technical education (PTE), and career planning and preparation in…

A study was conducted to: determine the aspirations and capabilities of rural youth in selected low-income counties in Arkansas; relate aspirations, capabilities, and the discrepancy between the two to the experience background of the youths studied; and relate the youths' occupational plans to present and projected labor market requirements. The…

The interim report outlines the second year objectives of a proposed three-year K-12 exemplary career education project for southeast Arkansas. A program description and evaluation of the project are provided by the evaluator. Grades K-7 focused upon knowledge about work were more significant than increases in self-awareness. Grades eight and nine…

To determine the career aspirations, counseling sources, and future plans of young women in Arkansas so as to confirm or negate the belief that women do not aspire to nor seek higher level employment positions than traditionally relegated for women, questionnaires developed by members of the Task Force on Education and Counseling were mailed to…

The mandated transition content of Individualized Educational Programs for 68 Arkansas high school students with disabilities was rated using a checklist of outcomes and life skills. Many plans were unclear regarding residential, postsecondary education, and employment goals, and important skill areas were overlooked. The checklist is presented…

The guide book has been prepared to assist teachers with career orientation for grades seven, eight, and nine. There are two parts to each unit in the guidebook: (1) the teacher section consists of teacher objectives, suggested teaching activities, factors to consider, and references: (2) the student section consists of student behavioral…

The Teachers of Tomorrow Academy (TOT) in Arkansas is a magnet school program that seeks to attract and prepare high school students for the teaching profession. A survey was administered to 113 students, grades 7-10, from 7 schools in the Pulaski County District to obtain feedback on students' career plans and on their reactions to the Academy…

This report summarizes responses to a study of graduates and dropouts to obtain information to validate or improve the vocational career orientation program in Arkansas. Data are separated and arranged into these categories: students, vocational career orientation teachers, counselors, principals, superintendents, vice presidents of academic…

A project was undertaken to develop and disseminate an activity-based learning experience booklet to enhance student self-development in career orientation classes at the junior high school level. Included among the major project activities were the following: identification of an appropriate needs assessment instrument; administration of a needs…

The Transitional Year Plan is a systematic approach to career placement that attempts to smooth the path from school to work. This school/community-based program maximizes career guidance, counseling, and placement for high school seniors by having them select and plan their careers in one of four broad categories: self-employment, postsecondary…