Australia introduced User Choice nationally in January 1998 to develop a national training system that is more responsive to clients' needs. User Choice is based on nine principles, including the following: (1) clients can negotiate their publicly funded training needs; (2) User Choice operates in a national training market not limited by state or…

This document contains the papers from plenary sessions, forums, and panels conducted at a conference on the new forms of vocational education needed for the world economy of the 21st century. After introductory remarks and opening addresses by the Minister of Education and Science of Finland and the Acting Director of the European Commission, the…

This document contains the National Council on Vocational Education's recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the vocational-technical educational system. They follow a list of council members, explanations of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act and the purpose of the council, a quiz on vocational-technical education for the…

Policies and practices were identified that have led to the success of exemplary programs in adult vocational education in Ohio. Data were collected from adult vocational education personnel, students, and employers located in five exemplary planning districts. All districts had a full-time supervisor for adult programs, employed full- and…

The first year of a demonstration experience-based career education (EBCE) project implemented to provide realistic career information to J.L. Mann High School (South Carolina) students was evaluated. The project was intended to provide the EBCE students with community-based career experiences structured to reinforce academic instruction, and…

A study examined the question of whether there is a connection between program characteristics and desirable program outcomes (student satisfaction, placement, and job performance ratings). A program evaluation questionnaire, containing over 300 individual items on such program characteristics as teacher certification and experience, instructional…

The project's purpose was to implement a vocational curriculum evaluation model developed by the Metropolitan Community College (MCC) District. The model was formatively field tested with ten MCC vocational programs and implemented in the evaluation of twenty-four vocational programs. The model's criteria was based on the program's (1)…

A study explored the results of programs designed to move women into traditionally male jobs (both managerial and blue collar) in ten public utility companies. The focus of the study was on the experiences of 164 women in such jobs and on the attitudes of their supervisors, male peers, and subordinates toward the companies' attempts to overcome…

In January 1995, a private research firm conducted the first year of a 5-year evaluation of tech prep (TP) in Ohio. State- and consortium-level baseline data about the following were collected: state policies/practices for TP; role of consortia in TP; professional development of instructors/administrators for TP; selected groups'…

A study described the policies and procedures utilized in exemplary adult vocational education programs in five school planning districts in Ohio. The study, which entailed an analysis of programs involving 34,618 students and 832 instructors, focused on program implementation and administration, student goals and outcomes, instructor…

The question of what makes 'good' literacy and numeracy provision was examined by reviewing interview data from a project on the role of vocational education and training that was conducted by the University of Tasmania's Centre for Research and Learning in Regional Australia. The study dataset included the findings from 541 structured interviews…

A study assessed the impact of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Vocational Education's practical nurse program for funding years 1979-1980 (38 programs), 1980-1981 (40 programs), and 1981-1982 (41 programs). Researchers reviewed literature pertaining to the state of the art of health care both in Pennsylvania and across the Nation. Next, they…

As states develop accountability systems for their high school career and technical education (CTE) programs, the number of students who earn industry-recognized credentials is being considered as a measure of student success and program quality. Using data from a longitudinal study we explored the value of industry-recognized credentials for high…

The Lansing Area Manufacturing Partnership (LAMP) is an academically rigorous, business/labor-driven school-to-career program in Lansing, Michigan, that includes business, union, school, and parent partners and emphasizes work-based and project-based learning, team teaching, and opportunities for staff and students to establish close and ongoing…

A national evaluation of school-to-work (STW) implementation was conducted by collecting data on four broad issues: states' efforts to promote the changes envisioned by the School to Work Opportunities Act (STWOA); impacts of local STW partnerships on school and workplace opportunities available to students and creation of coherent STW systems;…