Explains the role of the California Employment Training Panel in ensuring that public monies are well spent by guaranteeing that training leads directly to employment. Emphasizes the importance of job training as a tool for economic development. (AYC)

The U.S. Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) is undertaking a major initiative to substantially redesign its program monitoring and improvement system. The overriding goal is to improve vocational rehabilitation (VR) services and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities through the development of a…

The New Jersey Vocational Needs Assessment Project was designed to determine the needs of industry and business for those areas where public vocational education serves as the primary training agency. Information was obtained from school questionnaires and employer questionnaires and interviews. References to six critical issues were most…

The National Association of Counties (NACo) conducted a mail survey of service delivery areas (SDAs) to disprove allegations that 40 percent of them had not been audited since the start of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) in 1983. A questionnaire was developed and mailed to every third SDA on a list of all SDAs. Of 244 SDAs, 235 or 96…

This informational booklet contains background materials regarding the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) initiative to redesign its monitoring system. The booklet is intended to expand the knowledge and understanding of those individuals selected to participate in the RSA-sponsored monitoring conference that was held August 24 and 25,…

A study of 13 vocational and technical education programs in Florida was conducted which represented an attempt to identify valid and reliable sources of data whereby some vocational programs might be evaluated in specified terms of effectiveness. The programs selected for study were among those which require graduating students to pass licensing…

The State Job Training Coordinating Council (SJTCC) developed recommendations for a new workforce preparation system for California. Its 30 members represented industry and business, state and local government, local and community-based organizations, and the general public. Four committees that focused on four broad areas--coordination and…

Case studies were conducted at the state and local level in Texas to evaluate the impact of the Carl Perkins Vocational Education Act. Changes in vocational education at the state level that could be attributed to the Carl Perkins Act (CPA) included: (1) a smaller state advisory council with a majority representing business and industry; (2) a…

Texas is shifting to an integrated, systems-oriented approach to providing work force services for its residents and employers in which all services are guided by a single mission and vision. Implementation strategies are clearly focused on achieving common results. Accountability means being able to ensure taxpayers, residents, employers, and…

This paper offers an initial assessment of Texas' work force development evaluation and performance management efforts. Following an overview, section 2 clarifies distinctions between performance management and evaluation responsibilities such as purpose, definition, information produced, general question asked, and key questions addressed.…

The General Accounting Office (GAO) reviewed the performance measurement system of the Department of Labor's (DOL's) Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS), which administers programs and activities designed to help veterans obtain employment and training assistance. The GAO review focused on the following items: VETS' proposed…

The design and operations of the Economic Dislocation and Worker Adjustment Assistance (EDWAA) Act program in its implementation year were examined through case studies conducted in 15 states and 30 substate areas. During 6- to 8-day visits to each state, field researchers conducted discussions with state and substate respondents. States almost…

This publication discusses reforms in lifelong learning undertaken in the 11 states represented on the National Governors' Association Action Team on Lifelong Learning. It is a catalog of initiatives to create greater opportunities for youth and adults to obtain skills needed to compete effectively in a global economy. The reforms discussed in…

A Texas State Job Training Coordinating Council task force developed a series of recommendations regarding improving Texas' current employment and training system to prepare the state's residents for the "smart jobs of the future." A formal literature review was conducted, and regional forums were held and attended by a wide range of…

These conference proceedings contain 18 presentations that represent a broad range of approaches to improving the effectiveness of public employment, education, and training programs. Papers include "Kentucky Job Training Certificate System" (Rigsby); "Public/Private Training Collaboration at the Workplace: The Michigan Job Opportunity…