Data from past economic downturns show that "recession graduates"--those graduating from high school or college during a recession--may have worse outcomes in earnings and health for years or even decades to come. MDRC sought to work with stakeholders to better understand the challenges recent graduates are facing in the current context…

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) documents dimensions of quality in undergraduate education and provides information and assistance to colleges, universities, and other organizations to improve student learning. Its primary activity is annually surveying college students to assess the extent to which they engage in educational…

Considered a non-academic factor that is not necessarily measured by academic indicators of college and career readiness (e.g., grade point average, college admissions exams scores), critical thinking is an important aspect of 21st century learning and thus should be embedded into secondary school instruction and assessment. In this study,…

Preliminary results of a career planning project for Adult Basic Education participants in Connecticut show that less advantaged adults do not recognize the importance of career planning to get a job, although they may face occupational change in mid life. (SK)

Originally planned to open in the fall of 1965 under funding from the Office of Economic Opportunity, and continued over the years with State Act for Disadvantaged Children funds, Higher Horizons 100 (HH100) was from its inception conceived as a ninth grade center where a compensatory program would work. Despite its expansion from one team to a…

A study was done to (1) determine how extensive is the need for vocational education for college graduates who must return for job-entry level course work (educational loopers), (2) determine the kinds of vocational course work the returning graduate desires, (3) investigate the reasons the college graduate has chosen to return to a college…

A guide to career training programs below the baccalaureate level in Connecticut was compiled from a survey of all schools offering identifiable programs of formal education for careers. Intended as a tool to assist students and guidance counselors in learning about the schools and programs, the guide does not recommend any specific schools or…

A pilot effort to assess vocational and employment needs of migrant youth in Connecticut included a survey of 719 migrant dropouts and students in grades 8-12 in the 4 areas of the state with the largest number of migrant families. Also, in-depth data for 150 students and dropouts were gathered from records and interviews. Results showed that…

Focusing on systems and approaches to providing career guidance services rather than specific techniques, this guide is divided into eight chapters. Chapters 1-4 describe the state of the art of career guidance, including discussion of theory and prior research, theories of vocational development, career guidance concepts and practices, and career…

This guide contains a 4-year curriculum for high school developmental guidance programs in Connecticut. The guidance curriculum consists of structured developmental experiences presented systematically through classroom and group activities. The purpose of the guidance curriculum is to provide students with knowledge of normal growth and…

A study of the experiences of girls in technology education courses in three Connecticut middle schools examined the impact of these experiences on the students' decisions about whether to take more technology classes in high school. Another focus was girls' attitudes toward careers in technological fields. Five basic types of data were gathered:…

A study examined the role of guidance in girls' decisions about whether or not to take technology education as an elective in high school and to consider future careers in technological fields. The researchers reviewed the literature on guidance and looked at the results of interventions designed to attract girls to nontraditional fields. Eighteen…

This brochure provides summaries of 23 exemplary, research, and curriculum projects known as the Vocational Improvement Program that share three concerns: meeting needs of underserved students, sex fairness, and excellence in vocational education. The 14 exemplary projects focus on vocational exploration and skill building in marine and related…