Between 1983 and 1993, grade 7/8 to grade 12 apparent retention rates more than doubled and secondary schools developed vocational education and training (VET) programmes as alternative pathways through secondary school. Previous research indicates that participation in VET programmes is associated with having low-educated parents and/or attending…

A key theme in science education research concerns the decline in young peoples' interest in science and the need for professionals in hard science. Goal Congruity Theory posits that an important aspect of the decision whether to pursue hard science for study or as a career is the perception that hard science careers do not fulfil social (working…

STEM disposition surveys were completed by 364 11th and 12th grade students attending a two-year university-based residential science and mathematics academy during fall 2012. Surveys were completed by the same classes as a post test administration during spring 2013. Major findings were that first year students tended to show a decline in their…

This investigation employed exploratory methods to examine career aspirations in 141 students in Grades 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 from an international school in Bangkok. Students specified the jobs that they were most likely to pursue as adults, rated the importance of potential influences in making career decisions, and drew a picture of themselves in…

THE INTERESTS OF GRADUATING SENIORS WERE IDENTIFIED TO PROVIDE NECESSARY DATA FOR DEVELOPING THOSE AREAS OF POST-HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION NEEDED FOR PERSONS ENTERING THE LABOR MARKET. ABOUT 38,000, OR 54 PERCENT, OF 70,000 GRADUATES COMPLETED A 22-ITEM QUESTIONNAIRE AND MADE CURRICULUM AND OCCUPATIONAL CHOICES RELATED TO THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND…

The pattern of RIASEC interests and academic skills were assessed longitudinally from a large-scale national database at three time points: eight grade, 10th grade, and 12th grade. Validation and cross-validation samples of 1000 males and 1000 females in each set were used to test the pattern of these scores over time relative to mean changes,…

A STUDY WAS MADE TO DETERMINE (1) THE OCCUPATIONAL DESIRES AND THE ACTUAL EMPLOYMENT EXPECTATIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS, (2) THE EXTENT AND DIRECTION OF THESE DIFFERENCES, AND (3) THE RELATIONSHIP OF BACKGROUND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INDIVIDUAL. THE SAMPLE WAS COMPOSED OF 1,069 SENIORS FROM 12 WHITE AND 11 NEGRO SCHOOLS IN…

The objectives of the study were to help high school seniors make occupational choices, develop their employment and educational plans, and to provide data for school personnel and for the planning of postsecondary vocational training activities. Approximately 50,000 Indiana high school seniors were surveyed as to their educational and employment…

THREE FACETS OF THE VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE STUDENT WERE STUDIED--(1) HIS EDUCATIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL ASPIRATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS, (2) THE RELATIONSHIP OF HIS PLANS TO SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS, AND (3) THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HIS PLANS AND THE PLANS OF OTHER STUDENTS. THE SAMPLE CONSISTED OF ALL MALE SENIOR STUDENTS IN 11 NEGRO AND 12 WHITE…