Illinois State University and University of Illinois faculty collaborated to pilot test and evaluate Applied Academics curricula in Illinois. Three sets of pilot sites included the following: (1) 14 local education agencies that pilot tested Applied Communications and/or Mathematics; (2) 10 sites at which vocational teachers collaborated with…

An evaluation was conducted to describe Tech Prep prototypes as they have been implemented in five sites in Indiana and to determine the effectiveness of the programs. Tech Prep is a curriculum initiative that: is performance based, provides students with skills necessary to gain employment or to pursue further education upon high school…

By placing its findings within the context of total secondary public education, a followup study of high school graduates indicated the relative effectiveness of vocational, academic, and general secondary school preparation. Data were obtained from 71% of a representative sample (N=466) of 1979 Indiana high school graduates. General program…

Project SCANS (Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills) Integration is a 5-year initiative to explore how well all high school instructors would be able to integrate competency-based instruction in designated work-related competencies into their courses and rate students' mastery of the competencies. Three teachers from each of 14…

This document contains supporting materials from five case studies illustrating the All Aspects of the Industry (AAI) approach. AAI provides a framework for redesigning programs around broadly conceived, interdisciplinary, industry-focused programs and integrating academic and vocational education. Materials from the Boston (Massachusetts) Public…

Research identified strategies implemented collaboratively between vocational and academic teachers at Southern Regional Education Board-Vocational Education Consortium pilot sites to develop basic academic competencies of students in vocational programs. Structured interviews were completed at three pilot-site schools--a comprehensive high school…

A third-party evaluation of the Texas coordinated vocational-academic education (CVAE) program was conducted in 1984-85 to determine the effectiveness of CVAE as a vocational program for meeting the needs of secondary students who are unsuccessful in traditional academic programs. A project advisory committee was established, a review of…

A study examined the performance of the High Schools That Work (HSTW) initiative in 1996 and 1998, based on data from the HSTW Assessments. Analyses found support for the hypothesis that HSTW is the cause of school improvement, although other non-measured factors may also influence these schools, and showed that between 1996-98 HSTW schools…

In 1994, the Student Assessment was administered to over 12,000 vocational completers at 197 new High Schools that Work (HSTW) sites. Findings indicated that career-bound students at these sites trailed academic students nationwide in reading. Teachers in all vocational programs needed to pay more attention to reading. Career-bound females scored…

A study examined vocational and general education in Great Britain 2 years after a national commission on education issued its recommendations for reforming Britain's system of elementary and secondary education and training. Several concerns were raised regarding the content and application of the National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and…

This report examines the contribution of secondary vocational education to learning outcomes. It is targeted to research scholars with professional interests related to vocational education, effective schooling, learning, and methodology. The first of six chapters is an "Introduction" (Lawrence Hotchkiss, Jeanne Desy). "The Effects of Vocational…

This report describes four programs identified as fitting the criteria of a program that bridges the worlds of learning, earning, and adulthood for all students. "Overview: Making School Work for All Students" (Linda Chion-Kenney) provides background and describes criteria to be met by schools serving needs of vocational students.…

Seventy students and 62 teachers and administrators in New York City career magnet and comprehensive schools were interviewed to learn why the career magnets were successful. A statistical analysis of student outcome data for the interview sites verified they were at least as effective as the typical magnet school. Interviews with students…

The University of Victoria Program offers university-level courses mainly in the humanities and the social sciences to prisoners at Matsqui and Kent Institutions. Within this liberal arts approach there is a structural developmental thrust to promote cognitive and moral development and not simply to provide a general education or job skills.…

Provides a historical overview of the activities designed to standardize and/or improve civics education. Briefly reviews reform movements, guidelines, and educational studies contributed by private institutions or the government. Lists the eight objectives for political science developed by the Committee on Pre-Collegiate Education in 1971. (MJP)