Describes the challenging, award-winning programs at high schools: Sussex Technical High School in Georgetown, Delaware; William H. Turner Technical Arts High School in Miami; and Michael E. DeBakey High School for the Health Professions in Houston. Explains how they combine rigorous academic coursework with career and technical education. (JOW)

Competence has varied meanings in everyday, academic, and vocational contexts. The normative positions of competency-based training and cognitive psychology have gone through various cycles. Reconciliation of differences depends on acknowledgment of the normative nature of competence and recognition of the context for advocacy of a particular…

New evidence on brain functions demonstrates the necessity of connections between knowing and doing, school and life, knowledge and application, and content and context. Contextual teaching and learning principles can better harness the power of the thinking brain. (SK)

Describes three programs successfully integrating vocational and academic education: (1) Dauphin County Technical School (Pennsylvania), which uses the cluster concept; (2) St. Mary's (Maryland) Technical Center's tech prep program; and (3) Frederick Vocational-Technical Center (Maryland), which offers core course mastery and a systems approach to…

In an effort to improve the ability of vocational education to reinforce academic skills, we must not take the heart out of vocational programs by removing work-related components. The agenda for educational reform must be broadened to include vocational education. (JOW)

Owen Valley High School in Spencer, Indiana, uses a holistic approach to integrating its academic and vocational curricula. Publication of a book of student-written stories on local history was a collaboration of classes in creative writing, civics, child development, English, art, computer applications, print communications, manufacturing,…

Describes workshops designed to help recruit and involve faculty members from vocational and academic departments in a technical college and provide a strong foundation for the integration of the two areas. Addresses cooperative efforts and modifications necessary by both departments. (JOW)

Discusses educational marketing in terms of branding and consumer trust. Argues that the labeling and marketing of Britain's new foundation degrees, employment-related higher education qualifications, is detrimental to their success. Suggests a need for more clarity and veracity in the claim for parity of esteem for vocational qualifications.…

Looks at the issues regarding the integration of basic skills in vocational education. Discusses the team approach and collaborative efforts made to ensure this integration. (JOW)

Discusses development, training, and coordination practices for teams consisting of vocational counselors, vocational teachers, and special needs support services providers. Presents eight models for integrating postsecondary academic and vocational programs. (JOW)

Examines the effect of vocational coursework on the labor market success of the High School and Beyond seniors who did not attend college full time. Students taking 4 full-year vocational courses and 8 full-year academic courses in their final 3 years earned substantially more immediately after graduating than students taking 12 academic courses.…

Analysis of records of 168 female offenders in New Hampshire prisons shows (1) recidivism is not significant; (2) many have serious academic and employment skill deficiencies; and (3) short sentences necessitate fast-paced and intensive academic and vocational programs. (SK)