The article recommends involvement of more community resources in transitional programing for students with disabilities. In-depth analysis of what is expected from a job should be used in transitional programing. Employers also need to be encouraged to hire workers identified as having a special need. (DB)

Employer involvement is a crucial element in the success of school-to-work initiatives. To reach out to employers, states can do the following: target key employers and industries; foster employer ownership; give employers opportunities to recruit their peers; create or collaborate with intermediary organizations; establish partnerships with labor…

Work experience for youth with disabilities is one of the most critical factors that sets the stage for their postsecondary employment success. Research and practice show that youth benefit from frequent and continuous exposure to real work environments throughout the secondary school years and beyond. These experiences, however, occur only when…

Discusses the importance to young people of having credentials, why credentials are important, and the meanings attached to the term "credentials." Examines qualifications and selection practices, qualifying for tertiary education, and employer attitudes toward school leavers. (CT)

Presented is a sample of opinions gathered in a phone survey of cooperative education employers. Questions included: What do cooperative education employers think about vocational education? Is it good for business to have high school students working alongside full-time employees? What kind of jobs are co-op students hired to do? (CT)

Indicates that a combination of competition in domestic and international markets, rapid changes in technology, and changes in how the workplace is organized contribute to dissatisfaction among employers regarding the quality of job applicants. Suggests that applied teaching and learning strategies are the best way to achieve transferability. (JOW)

Educators are increasingly turning to employers for advice about educating for future jobs. A recent project involved conducting a series of seven national conferences on high technology to learn about innovations in industry. Experts from industry told educators that industry itself does a great deal of high technology training, computers are the…

Japan's system of vocational and technical education is described, including student distributions, program admission, and employers' attitudes. Differences between Japanese and Western vocational training are discussed. (MSE)

Alternative schools in public school districts and private institutions offer a choice of more than one educational option to students. These schools usually have some of the following characteristics: voluntary participation, distinctiveness, nonexclusiveness, comprehensive objectives, and a supportive learning environment. Instructional styles…

The first part of the paper describes research addressing whether there is a match between vocational preparation and employer expectations for individuals having disabilities, with emphasis on research performed in Alberta, Canada. Research goals include the identification of generic and/or specific skills and behaviors for vocational training of…

A study was conducted in Australia, to determine the factors that affect demand for job training. The study consisted of 30 detailed industry case studies, an industry analysis, and a literature review. Each case study examined current training practices, training decision making in the business, and the determinants of training for the…

A study was conducted to determine who has the responsibility for teaching general occupational and consumer competencies--the home, the school, or the workplace. To answer this question, two national surveys on functional competencies in occupational adaptability and consumer economics were conducted. Competencies were first identified and then…

An alliance between apprenticeship and vocational education could accomplish more than either system could achieve on its own. An understanding of the system is important prior to working effectively with apprenticeship programs. They are sponsored by single employers or groups of employers acting singly or jointly with a union. Union interest…

This report on transition services for students with disabilities in Nebraska schools begins with an outline of the development of transition programming as part of special education services, noting federal legislation in this area and the importance of intra-agency and inter-agency cooperative agreements. The role of career education in the…

In 1993, Washington's state legislature created the Commission on Student Learning to identify essential academic learning requirements related to four goals. One of those goals was to understand the importance of work and how performance, effort, and decisions directly affect career and educational opportunities. As in other states, the…