Fewer women are choosing science and engineering careers at the same time that the college-age population is shrinking, threatening a dire shortage of scientists in academe and the general labor force. Affirmative action is seen no longer as only a moral responsibility, but also as a matter of national survival. (MSE)

Career pathways align vocational and academic education within career clusters and provide students new options from grades 9-14. They must have the following elements: industry breadth and depth; opportunities for many populations; career options at entry, technical, and professional levels; and alternative delivery options and academic and…

Project ACT (Access to Careers in Technology) is helping Boston women discover opportunities in technical careers. The multiphase prevocational program includes workshops providing occupational information, counseling to overcome real and psychological barriers to male-dominated fields and training in job search skills. (SK)

During the past 17 years, the Women's Educational Equity Act (WEEA) program has accomplished the following: funded programs to open math, science, and technology courses and careers to women and girls; helped females gain access to nontraditional vocational education; funded projects to eliminate bias against females in school and the workplace;…

A literature review was conducted to determine how women's role was seen in vocational education and development. The study reviewed the historical background of occupational gender segregation related to vocational education, reviewed and described the role of women and division of labor, and summarized labor market statistics concerning females…

CHOICES, a community model, was developed to be used by community organizations serving young women. The ultimate goal was to develop programs, using local resource persons, to help young women recognize and take advantage of the many options available to them in preparation for a fulfilling career. Other activities of the CHOICES project staff…

A 1-year project was conducted to explore ways and suggest possible strategies by which Further Education staff in Great Britain can help improve women's participation, progress, and attainment in physical science and technology, particularly at technician and craft levels. Data were collected by a questionnaire survey of heads of science and…

The papers presented at three conferences dealing with nontraditional students at community colleges comprise this report. Papers included are: "Aging in America" by Francis Scott; "Aging in Oregon: A Look at Clackamas Community College" by Larry Forsythe; "Community Needs Assessment: Some Reflections" by Alice Kethley; "Education for Aging: A…

Reports a study of gender differences in enrollment and performance of on the College Board's Advanced Placement Computer Science tests from 1984 through 1996. Although the gender gap in test performance has narrowed significantly over that period, the percentage of women taking the examinations has been consistently low. Argues that stronger…

In Program Year 1994, Colorado divided its Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) funds among adult and youth job training programs, summer youth programs, dislocated worker programs, and the Governor's Special Initiatives. JTPA staffing levels decreased at the same rate as the declining budget. The programs became especially efficient at using…

This booklet contains 56 strategies for increasing student participation in educational programs not traditional for their gender. Strategies for recruitment are as follows: prepare useful program information, demonstrate interest in serving nontraditional students, work with feeder schools and the community, and work with other agencies serving…

This workbook presents materials for a Nontraditional Options Workshop designed to introduce women to predominantly male vocational programs and careers. The workshop provides career awareness, vocational information, and hands-on exploration of nontraditional programs offered at Blackhawk Technical College (BTC), Wisconsin. Introductory materials…

This study examines women's experiences in pursuing careers in the arts or music. Data for the study was gathered through a survey mailed to a random sample of women graduates (n=73) from an internationally known school for music and art. While most survey questions were closed-ended and focused on demographic information, the most revealing…

A study of 118 adult women students, with children, in 3 Australian universities found 3 major factors in withdrawal: socioeconomic class (lack of family support for mother's study, lack of money, domestic responsibilities, lack of needed skills); nontraditional major (economics, business, law); and age (younger students because of family or…

Descriptions are provided of eight career initiatives that were cited by the American Association for Career Education as programs, practices, and publications that work. Each description is accompanied by the name, address, and telephone number of a contact person. The initiatives are as follows: (1) Beyond High School Magazine, a 36- to 42-page…