School engagement is a multifaceted psychosocial process that functions as a key mediator of academic achievement, motivation, and school dropout. This study investigated the effects of vocational exploration and racial identity on behavioral (attendance, attention, time spent on class work) and psychological (identification with school) factors…

Minnesota's Intervention for College Attendance Program (ICAP) is a program of competitive grants awarded to postsecondary institutions, professional organizations and community-based organizations. Funded programs focus on increasing the access and success of groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education by strengthening their…

This bibliography on careers in agriculture was produced by the National Agricultural Library. It contains 218 citations from the AGRICOLA database. The search strategy is included, call numbers are provided for each entry, and abstracts are provided for some citations. The bibliography concludes with an author index and a subject index. (AA)

Six career exploration work simulation units (plumbing, electrical house wiring, photography, brake repair, metal fabrication, and printing) were evaluated with eight mentally retarded adults from a sheltered workshop. Results demonstrated that units designed for nondisabled elementary school children can be used effectively by mentally retarded…

Describes how people used their hobbies to find a career. Profiles people in hobby-centered occupations, Offers suggestions for turning a hobby into a career and provides ideas for locating more information. (JOW)

For the last three years Delaware State University (DSU) and the University of Vermont (UVM) have implemented a new approach to a summer program or "Institute" that emphasizes evaluation and accountability. Beginning in 2005, both institutes changed the focus of their programs to fulfill not only the primary objectives of instilling…

This study assessed 166 high school students in Grade 8 and again in Grade 10. Four models were tested: (a) whether the T1 predictor variables (career knowledge, indecision, decision-making selfefficacy, self-esteem, demographics) predicted the outcome variable (career planning/exploration) at T1; (b) whether the T1 predictor variables predicted…

This newsletter of best practices describes steps that schools have taken to establish a guidance and advisement system that helps students plan for and succeed in students high school, further study and careers. Articles in this issue include: (1) Advisory Program Boosts Achievement and Career Planning; (2) District-Wide Guidance Program Assists…

Isakson presents several Web sites to increase students' awareness of career possibilities and the education choices required to reach them. Among other things, Occupational Information Network (O*NET) Online, which can be viewed at http://online.onetcenter.org/, offers a straightforward interface that lets the user search the database by using…

The Area Vo-Tech Center (AVTC) in Russellville, Arkansas, recently hosted its first TechnoCamp to encourage enrollment based on the aptitude and interest level of the students enrolling in the various programs. The center currently offers student enrollment in auto technology, computer engineering, cosmetology, construction technology, drafting…

In this article, the winning essays of the Cliff Weiss Memorial Essay Contest are presented. In the two winning essays, the authors describe how to explain the value of career and technical education (CTE) to a new student. Shi Meicheng, Secondary Winner, states that CTE has provided her with a toolbox for success while Ginnie Bushong,…

This Framework is intended for use by school districts and their community partners as they plan and adopt systems of quality pathways. The Critical Elements that make up the Framework are intended to deepen and clarify the district's thinking about how to build the infrastructure that supports the design, implementation, and sustainability of a…

Course completion and student satisfaction is likely to be influenced by how realistic the expectations of students are when they enroll. This report explores the idea that students' expectations would be more realistic if students have well developed career management competencies. Recent research argues that lack of information is not the…

Describes the development and content of the second edition of the "Guide for Occupational Exploration." (BL)

Discusses limitations of the hexagon of J. L. Holland such as the implicit bidirectionality which assumes a symmetry that may not exist. Suggests the use of conditional probabilities as an addition to the use of the traditional correlational hexagon. (LLL)