Approximately 300 Australian users and non-users of the biomedical computerized data base, MEDLARS, were surveyed by mailed questionnaire in an attempt to determine the needs of present and potential users of the system and their prior experiences with computerized as well as other information services. Results of the survey reveal: (1) an…

Because of various flaws in their design, most research studies that have up to now examined the transition of youth to the work setting have failed to pinpoint ways of improving existing programs. Many of these design flaws (including lack of a uniform set of outcome measures, failure to routinely incorporate control groups, and failure to design…

Designed to provide pre- and inservice vocational education administrators with background information and hands-on experiences for acquiring the skills necessary to direct a program evaluation, this competency-based learning module contains an introduction and four sequential learning experiences. Each learning experience consists of an overview,…

Investigating programs and full-time personnel which provide special needs services at the postsecondary level in Minnesota Area Vocational-Technical Institutes (AVTIs), a study assessed variability in practitioner use of individual student diagnostic information and prescriptive services in individualized education program (IEP) development and…

This review covers a time span from 1922 to 1980. It examines the link that exists between assessment and teaching. After discussing the milieu in which the two take place, the remainder of the review addresses four questions: (1) how do teachers use test information for instructional decisions?; (2) what has research indicated about the linkage…

Ways that higher education institutions can improve their compliance procedures in responding to external requests for reports and information are addressed. Institutional officers must first determine how the data will be used by the external agency. By questioning how the requested information will be used, a determination can be made of what…

Governmental interference with academic freedom is illustrated by F.B.I. surveillance of and unauthorized distribution of information about progressive educators John Dewey, George Counts, and Harold Rugg. These three educators attracted the attention of governmental agencies and special interest groups during the 1930s and 1940s because they…

A comprehensive career development program model is presented. It attempts to provide total career capability for all and has the following process objectives: (1) provide students with experiences and information that present occupational dimensions accurately; (2) provide appropriate situations at different levels so that all youth may have an…

This digest is intended to help vocational educators learn to make the best use of the World Wide Web. Among the vocational education-related websites and uses of the web profiled are the following: a website that Minnesota high school students can use to search for career opportunities and check local classified ads; a website through which…

A study investigated the postsecondary intentions and the actual outcomes of secondary transition among 321 students from five schools in New Zealand. Phase 1 identified students who did not intend to return to secondary school. The next year (2000), they became the target population for Phase 2, which examined the students' actual continuation on…

To prepare young people and adults for labor market success, career-technical education (CTE) practitioners must know how to find and use work force information. Recent federal legislation, including the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, underscores the importance of work force education. The nationwide work force information system makes data on…

This Community Perspectives Series document includes statements about the new economy in Toronto made by four participants in a March 2001 forum. The new economy was defined by the moderator as "an economy that emphasizes knowledge and technical processes put to the production of goods and other outputs so that an individual's knowledge is…

An Australian study examined the relationship between current and past participation in education and training in small business and success or failure and how small businesses decide how to improve knowledge and skills. Telephone surveys were conducted with 181 small businesses in 4 industries in 3 metropolitan and 3 non-metropolitan regions.…

This book outlines the principles of planning, implementing, and evaluating successful professional meetings and conferences in education. The following are among the topics discussed: (1) the knowledge base of effective meetings and conferences (nine principles held by effective meeting designers; characteristics of effective meetings and…

College and university institutional researchers can use unemployment insurance wage and related files to describe and compare students' workplace status before, during, and after enrollment. However, some issues must be addressed, including data delays, uncovered employment and other work status, confidentiality of records, information…