The Region 12 Comprehensive Center conducted a national scan of formative assessment supports provided by state education agencies. The report presents common themes in formative assessment support, a series of supports by content and grade area as well as by modality of professional learning, and illustrative examples. It also examines…

Cairns and cares: they sound nearly alike, and at Tommie Kunst Junior High School (Santa Maria, CA), the two words are synonymous. Kim Cairns is a "Pitsco Education" Life Skills lab facilitator who cares deeply about her students--what they do, what they say, how they act, what they learn, and everything in between. Cairns has taken…

In the growing shipbuilding industry along the Gulf Coast, not only is it difficult to find skilled workers to fill open positions, but the problem is also compounded because various shipyards have different definitions of what a welder or shipfitter does. To combat the issue, the Alabama Technology Network (ATN)--the state's Manufacturing…

Although the interactive whiteboard (IWB) is becoming increasingly prevalent in classrooms throughout the more efficient parts of the world and research has shown how this tool can increase the effectiveness of teaching and even transform pedagogy (Kennewell & Beauchamp, 2007), research literature overviews (Higgins, Beauchamp, & Miller,…

This document covers the data terms used in the "Indigenous Research and Statistics" resources. It covers information contained in the "Apprentices and Trainees June Quarter 2009 report," the "Students and Courses 2009" report and the "Student Outcomes 2009" report and their associated data tables. The primary purpose of this document is to assist…

In today's climate, it is becoming increasingly important to provide social work students with practice knowledge on research-supported social work interventions. CSWE has placed greater emphasis on using research-based knowledge to inform and guide social work practice, and the field has recognized the value of adhering to the evidence-based…

The vocational education of business should actively adapt the demands of the domestic and foreign business development to cultivate high-quality applicable talents with international knowledge. The traditional business specialty teaching and the talent cultivation mode have not followed the domestic and foreign market demands, and are difficult…

Scotland's "Action Plan" for students aged 16-18 provides modular study programs (usually 40 hours long) featuring continuous assessment, and recognition on the National Certificate. The program's flexibility, potential for individualization, and internal assessment make it especially suitable for special needs students. (DB)

This compilation of presentations given at the National Conference on Performance Based Teacher Education (PBTE) centers around two main themes: the present state of the scene in performance-based vocational teacher education, and changes in the educational setting in both schools and colleges that will affect PBTE in the near future. Among the…

Experiential learning packages help learners effectively attain affective, empathetic, interactive, and complex cognitive objectives, and unlearn undesirable cognitive prejudices and affective anxieties. They are recommended for vocational education in the helping professions and in instructional situations that involve internships. The beginning…

The purpose of this development phase of a larger project entitled "Development of Competency-Based Instructional Materials for Local Vocational Education Administrators" was to field test and revise prototypic competency-based administrator instructional packages. A search was conducted to identify currently available competency-based…

Describes a project designed to create instructional materials in entrepreneurship for secondary vocational students. Steps discussed include selection of small businesses to be treated in modules, determination of module content, guidelines for presentation of module content, and results of field test and expert review. (CT)

Discusses Scottish secondary curriculum, focusing on the "Scottish Higher" college preparatory classes and Scottish Vocational Education Council (SCOTVEC) modules. The SCOTVEC modules lead to a vocationally oriented qualification called the National Certificate, rather than the academically oriented Highers credentials. Issues include…

The German vocational education system, possibly the opposite of a pure modular system, must change to match the needs of a rapidly changing and specializing labor market. Four types of Scottish modular programs (National Certificate Modules, Scottish Vocational Qualifications, General Scottish Vocational Qualifications, and the new "Higher…

As teachers in German vocational education, the authors have a considerable interest in and responsibility for developing intercultural business skills, which are increasingly vital for successful management across cultures. Special international competence may help trainees find attractive jobs and may also strengthen their companies' position on…