New England's population and labor force growth have slowed considerably in recent years. What relatively little growth that has occurred has been concentrated in immigrant and other populations that have not been well-served historically by its educational and economic institutions. In an economy that is demanding ever more advanced skills from…

"College for all" arises from deep in our individualistic cultural bias, and the motto works as a public narrative because high school vocational alternatives are widely regarded as second best by the general public, if not by the elites. However, there is more to "college for all" than cultural bias, political positioning, and middle-class angst.…

Describes characteristics of robots, provides a glossary of related terms, and discusses available careers in the field of robotics. Includes a list of postsecondary institutions with robotics programs. (JOW)

Efficiency wage models explain unemployment as a manifestation of the unavoidable incompleteness of the employment contract. In hiring workers, firms use education as a screen to determine the quantity and quality of the effort that a worker might exert in performing his or her duties. This generates a hierarchy of workers. (KDP)

During the past quarter century, federal legislation has resulted in fundamental changes in the way youth with special needs are educated. Despite legal mandates and substantial funding support, only minimal progress has been made in the rate at which exceptional children progress through school to the world of work. During the past 30 years,…

This response to criticisms of open admissions programs in U.S. postsecondary education addresses the following issues: that there are not enough jobs for graduates; that enrollments will decline anyway; and that expanding access to education is a myth that promises social mobility but only maintains social inequalities. (JMD)

Describes a program designed to reduce unemployment among out-of-school youth caused by the inability of these youth to document that they have assets in demand by employers. The program would provide the chance to acquire such assets and to build a documented record of achievement, experience, and certification. (LRA)

Postsecondary education needs to (1) provide "equity tools" to disabled students to enable access to computing technology; (2) provide appropriate education and support; (3) educate human services students in the roles and processes of computing technologies; and (4) research and disseminate information on use of equity tools. (Author/MSE)

The opportunities center is a new school service concept that can help students find opportunities related to their talents and interests in work, education, leisure, small business, or community service. The opportunities center model expands the career center model into an information search center offering multiple services that link academic…

Support is growing for the concept of the enterprise zone. Congress has before it a bill, the Enterprise Zone Tax Act of 1982, that would provide incentives and create a climate in which entrepreneurs and business executives would locate businesses in areas of pervasive poverty and unemployment. A potential urban enterprise zone in New York City…

Proceedings and papers are presented from a seminar on "Learning and Earning: A study of education and employment opportunities for young people," a report produced by the Commonwealth Tertiary Education Commission of Australia. This report traces the recent rapid decline in the participation of young people in education and the work…

Discusses the advantages of recurrent or lifelong education but recognizes that the logic of recurrent education is not matched by appropriate incentives to individuals to forgo traditional educational patterns. Briefly reviews articles that follow in the same journal number on the subject of lifelong learning. (GC)

Looks at the history of the environmental industry since 1970. Suggests that, although job growth is not as high as it was, the growth rate is now about 2% and those with proper training can find opportunities in environmental fields. (JOW)

Ivy Tech State College uses River Falls, a shopping mall, as an enormous heating, ventilation, and air conditioning laboratory. Students spend Saturdays working with full-time technicians getting invaluable training and experience. Students see the program as a professional opportunity and a direct route to jobs. (JOW)

Motivational bases for affirmative action programs, particularly as these programs pertain to postsecondary education, are considered. "Motivational bases" refers to the basic incentives that are invoked in order to gain public support for affirmative action programs. Three types of motivational bases are addressed: those associated with reasons…