Ethnographic methods have been proposed as one alternative to research based heavily on statistics and experimental design. Ethnography essentially means "a way of systematically learning reality from the point of view of the participant." Four features distinguish ethnographic research from other research methods: (1) the research is considered…

The training being provided to low-wage workers, factors affecting the availability and effectiveness of such training, and training outcomes were examined. The major research activities were as follows: (1) identification of 192 employers that invested most heavily in training for low-wage workers; (2) telephone interviews with 40 of the 192…

Curriculum analysis of the English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Visiting (ENB) critical care programs ENB 100, 124, 176/183, 199, and 415 revealed great diversity in programs bearing the same title. An evaluation identified if this diversity was reflected in the competencies acquired by students on different programs,…

This report is a summary update of a more extensive report on the participation of women in the Australian public VET (vocational and technical education) sector in 2000. Data were obtained from publicly-funded training providers, including TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutions and some schools and universities, registered community…

A literature review of 132 studies of School-to-Work programs and consultations with the staff of the National School-to-Work Office, researchers, and practitioners in the field drew conclusions about the effectiveness of the School-to-Work initiative. Some of the study's conclusions were the following: (1) School-to-Work students maintain good…

To assess the impact of the National Academy Foundation (NAF) career academy (CA) model, a large-scale, multi-site evaluation was undertaken. Survey and interview data on program experiences and postsecondary outcomes were analyzed from nine CA programs. The study used pre-post evaluation of student data, field visits, and written and telephone…

Perceptions of success in teaching and learning adult literacy in England were examined in a study that included interviews with 30 learners and 10 tutors. The teaching approaches most often cited by the tutors as leading to success were as follows: (1) base tutoring on individual interests; (2) personal and social support for each student; (3)…

Australia's accommodation, cafes, and restaurants industry represents more than half of the nation's total tourism and hospitality employment. It accounts for roughly 4.5% of all jobs in Australia (400,000 workers). Since 1987, the number of jobs in the sector has risen from about 257,000 to about 372,000. Approximately 57% of employees are…

Australia's agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry represents about 5% of the nation's total employment and growth in the last 10 years has averaged only about 0.3% per year. In 1996, it was estimated that 4.7% of government-funded training was directed toward this industry. A 1997 employer satisfaction survey indicated that 11% of…

Australia's cultural and recreational services industry encompasses radio and television broadcasting, motion pictures, theatre, music, other performing arts, and sports and services to sports. Only 2.5% of the nation's labor force is employed in the industry. The sector has a particularly high level of part-time employment (over 40%). Employment…

To evaluate the extent to which Maryland colleges helped graduates achieve their educational goals and to provide colleges with statewide comparative data, the Maryland Higher Education Commission surveyed all 1992 Maryland community college graduates in spring 1993. In addition, a separate questionnaire was sent to the employers of consenting…

A study examined the current outcomes and future of paraprofessional education provided under the auspices of South Australia's Department of Employment and Technical and Further Education (SA DETAFE). The primary objectives of the study were as follows: (1) determine whether an autonomous middle-level employment base exists in selected…

This second biennial outcome evaluation analyzes results of nine programs in Washington's work force training system that account for approximately 90 percent of public spending and recommends areas for improvement. Findings are from: program records on over 65,000 individuals who left one of the programs during the 1995-96 school year; mail…

This document, the second of five volumes that comprise the final report of the National Assessment of Vocational Education examines some major features of contemporary vocational education: students, teachers, classes, and educational and employment outcomes. The first two chapters address student participation and program quality, as measured by…

This report documents a third-party evaluation of Career Decisions, an elective career exploration course to investigate the program's effectiveness in achieving its student outcome objectives. The report is organized into chapters by five general evaluation questions: (1) What did students experience in the classroom components?, (2) What did…