For those individuals wishing to know more about the topic, this publication provides an introduction to industry-specific training. The need for industry-specific training programs (ISTPs) is addressed. An overview follows of how to develop the capacity needed in state and local organizations to design and implement industry-specific programs. A…

This monograph presents an overview of employer-sponsored career development programs. It is divided into four sections. The "Adult Development" and "Adult Career Development" sections review pertinent theories and research (basic concepts, task model, transition model, theme model, adult career stages, career anchors approach, career development…

This six-chapter monograph presents a model for student development which is designed to unify the diverse purposes of education. After Chapter I reviews recent criticism of education, it goes on to identify problems in the performance of our educational system and to propose that a student development perspective on education provides a framework…

Middle schools embrace exploration as a guiding principle across the school curriculum. Noting that the research on exploratory courses is sparse, this digest discusses what is known about exploratory curriculum in middle schools. The digest first looks at the role of exploratory curriculum, pointing out that the purpose of exploratory courses is…

Career Resource Centers (CRCs) are a logical outgrowth of vocational development theory which views career development as a continuous process with a lifelong series of career decisions made at various transition points over time. After starting in high schools, CRCs have spread to all arenas of formal education as well as to community agencies,…

Most teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL) face a number of challenges: large and heterogeneous classes, specialized student needs, and poor funding and employment continuity. Many work part time, often in more than one program and serving simultaneously as administrator and teacher. While most have college degrees, their training is…

The profile of native language literacy instruction for adults looks at a variety of trends and issues in the design and improvement of such programs. The first section discusses what has been learned in the last few years about the kinds of instruction offered, including basic program characteristics and models for curriculum, instruction, and…

Although basic skills and English language instruction are often viewed as real needs at the workplace, few companies provide this for their workers. Those that do are motivated by one or more of these factors: product quality improvement, commitment of top management to training and education, or the sales effort of an educational provider. Those…

There are an estimated 30 million people in the United States with native languages other than English. Within this group are a number of limited-English-proficient individuals. Whether seeking a first American job or better employment, this group encounters a job market that is changing drastically in the number of jobs it can offer to…

An effective staff development program for rural teachers will have identified the needs to be met, will incorporate good management principles, and will make use of a variety of resources--the community itself, nonprofessional staff, business and industry, and shared teaching efforts. Distinctive staff development needs of rural teachers may…

This paper discusses the challenges of effectively matching the needs of youth populations with program services. An introduction reviews some broad issues that shape the discussion, namely whether youth is a period integrated into the course of life or a separatist culture. A second section proposes an ecological approach to youth services, which…

To provide administrators and teachers with a set of essential elements and principles to consider in using inservice programs for school improvement, this document presents a model comprised of 27 dimensions identified as important elements of effective inservice programs. These dimensions were identified through a review of the research…

This digest describes teacher mentoring and its different applications. A list of 10 characteristics and activities inherent in any mentor-protege relationship is provided. A discussion is presented on the ways that mentoring, an essentally informal process, has been formalized in business firms and school systems. In considering the benefits that…

This eighth chapter in "The Challenge of Counseling in Middle Schools" contains five articles on the organization of a middle school counseling program. "The Counselor and Modern Middle-Level Schools: New Roles in New Schools," by Paul George, examines characteristics of successful schools and considers some new roles for the counselor. "Teacher…

This monograph is based on the authors' visits and communications with directors and staff, and presents an analysis of adult counseling programs operating in many sites around the nation. General characteristics of adult counseling centers are assessed in terms of start-up and funding, public relations and referrals, location, hours of operation,…