Advocates the implementation of a formal youth apprenticeship program similar to that of the German system, which offers incentives to employers, students, and educators. Argues that such a system would increase the productivity and economic opportunities of non-college minority youth and reduce at-risk behaviors. (FMW)

A series of five discussions with more than 50 people involved in the national school-to-work initiative created by the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994 (STWOA) resulted in the following conclusions (among others): (1) Problems with the concept include a negative attitude toward the phrase "school-to-work," the complicated nature…

Illinois is considering various approaches to school/business partnerships that will alleviate some of the problems facing America today, especially the need for an educated, trainable, and flexible workforce able to satisfy the demands of a radically altered economic environment. Widespread functional illiteracy, retraining needs, and…

Historically, community colleges have sought to serve the needs of and expand opportunities for the nation's veterans. Some attributes that make community colleges user-friendly for veterans are low tuition; alternative delivery systems, such as telecommunications and other forms of distance learning; occupational courses linked to the immediate…

This report lists recommendations approved by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) for reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and is intended to be submitted to U.S. Congressional hearings scheduled for fall 1997. It covers nine major areas: (1) grant-loan imbalances; (2) level playing field loan issues;…

The government is introducing a new, integrated support service, the Connexions Service, to provide information, advice, guidance, referral, and support for all young people aged 13-19 in England. Building on the Careers Service, its introduction should have significant implications for careers education and guidance (CEG) in schools. Currently,…

Federal funding for career and technical education (CTE) should move from a state grant program to a competitive grant approach in order to disrupt an entitlement mentality and instead support the creation of high quality CTE programs with improved student outcomes. Funds should be used to develop and expand CTE programs to begin in 9th grade and…

Unemployment among young people is a serious and persistent problem in this country. Unemployment rates are especially high among members of minority groups, for high school dropouts, and in economically depressed areas. Vocational education can help to alleviate the problem of unemployment, and a close link between schools and employers can help…

This document contains the testimony and supporting printed evidence presented at an oversight hearing on the reauthorization of the Vocational Education Act. These hearings focused on various aspects of vocational education, including vocational education research, cooperative or worksite education, and vocational education in correctional…

This report recommends a 10-year plan for changes in services to people with intellectual disabilities in Victoria, Australia. Intended key outcomes of the plan include: increases in the numbers of clients receiving direct residential support in community-based accommodations; reductions in numbers of adult clients resident in large scale…

This report is intended to provide a framework for state-level policy and planning in relationship to postsecondary education's role in workforce development. Underlying the report is a set of principles and priorities designed to reflect and shape current policy agendas, and which will address the needs of college-bound high school graduates,…

The Leeds Under-Employed Graduates project was developed to assist higher education (HE) graduates living or working in Leeds, England, who encountered difficulty in establishing themselves in the local labor market. The main project activities were as follows: (1) services for graduates (including graduate career development workshops, assistance…

This book, consisting of 17 chapters written by different authors, traces the progress that has been made in developing lifelong learning policies over the past 30 years and examines current challenges to lifelong learning policymakers. Focusing on a global agenda, the book is organized in six parts with thematic chapters following an introductory…