The infusion of workforce education into K-12 education may be detrimental to American students. American schools should not emphasize practical skills at the expense of academic skills. Academic standards should focus on academic content, not workplace competencies. The major impetus for transforming academic standards came in the 1990s when the…

A survey to determine worker perceptions of the types of skills that are needed to survive in the world of work that are in addition to those specific technical skills taught in vocational programs. (Editor/TA)

While reformers push an academic steamroller toward critical work force shortages, employers and half of the nation's youth could benefit from vocational and technical education. The technical workplace does not require a bachelor's degree from all prospective employees. (JOW)

The author discusses the evolution of curriculum thinking from a narrow and behaviorist stance through to the present, where it is argued that considerations need to be based on shared understandings among all participants in a learning exchange. (Author/CH)

Traces the history and philosophy of core skills. Suggests that, although the way they are used in training and vocational education has positively changed the way skills are viewed, the approach is narrow in outlook, especially the General National Vocational Qualifications, and may not serve the best interests of industry or society. (Author/JOW)

A survey of 354 instructors (196 responses) of advanced technology programs in Illinois community colleges found that instructors believe that strong academic skills are essential for future workers. Their highest ranked instructional priority was the enhancement of students' thinking skills. (Author/JOW)

This booklet presents the concepts of essential and generic skills and issues raised by their incorporation in New Zealand's National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The first section discusses the concepts of essential and generic skills. The second section addresses three major reasons for wider understanding and discussion of these concepts:…

This paper examines the process of developing a measuring instrument to measure basic skills in mathematics for those students entering post-secondary vocational education programs. The paper is organized around the steps in the process of developing such an instrument. The first section addresses the need to define conceptually the construct of…

This guide describes the development and implementation of a functional/vocational program for self contained severely and mildly handicapped students in grades K-12. The model emphasized instruction in skills needed by students to live as adults in the least restrictive way. Elementary children receive instruction in self contained classrooms and…

A study focused on the appropriate balance between academic and vocational education for those who intend to work rather than attend college after graduation. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) a high school curriculum that completely specializes in vocational education and ignores basic skills training will not be as effective as the one that…

The curriculum guide presents activity suggestions for teachers to use with autistic students in grades K-12. Brief remarks are offered on placement criteria, student characteristics, and parent participation. Goals, objectives, procedures, materials, domain areas, and evaluation approaches are listed for eight skill areas: (1) pre-vocational…

The Career Focus curriculum guide, developed by the Secondary Transition and Employment Project (STEP) in Idaho, is intended for use with students with moderate or severe handicaps in grades 10 or 11. It should be used after students have visited work sites and had initial training on a community vocational site. Activities may be incorporated…

This summary offers highlights of a conference hosted by the Southern Regional Educational Board-State Vocational Education Consortium, a 6-year effort to develop, apply, evaluate, and promote strategies to strengthen the basic competencies of high school students enrolled in vocational education programs. An introduction provides summaries of…

A study was conducted to describe some of the tools, techniques, and approaches that secondary school educators use to direct change activities. It presented early evidence of successful use of two sets of vocational education resource materials in 12 demonstration sites, 6 for each resource. The materials were "BASICS: Bridging Vocational and…

This document describes teaching techniques that vocational and academic teachers can use jointly to improve students' basic skills. It is part of BASICS, a package of integrated materials developed to assist teachers, administrators, and counselors in bridging vocational and academic skills. Section 1 focuses on the problem of students' basic…