The issue of student retention and graduation from postsecondary institutions has grown in stature over the past decade. While the last 40 years of federal and state policies have focused largely on access to college, there is now a very real interest in not only getting students into college but also helping them earn baccalaureate and other…

Postsecondary student aid programs administered by the United States Office of Education (USOE) have helped many thousands of students to obtain an education they may not otherwise have received; however, some schools have engaged in questionable or abusive practices that have frustrated student attainment of the desirable educational goals…

This paper reviews the question of the cost and benefits of data for the analysis of state policy questions, and concludes that in the abstract the question cannot be answered; rather, it must be considered on a continuing basis whenever data is to be collected in the support of baseline studies or special projects. The paper suggests six criteria…

The collection and compilation of occupational supply data from formal, organized training programs were investigated to identify instances of multiple counting and undercounting of labor supply. The study combined a literature review; interviews with 274 individuals in 10 states involved in data production and use at the state or local level;…

Activities involved in the collection and assembling of data for computer processing from the first followup survey of the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 (NLS) are briefly described. Included are an overview of the NLS; the sample design and survey participation; the development of the first followup survey…

The report describes a model, developed by the staff at Edison Community College in Fort Myers, Florida, for collecting and using follow-up information to evaluate and plan occupational programs. After a discussion of the issues to be addressed when evaluating an occupational program, a breakdown of information to be collected in a follow-up study…

This report presents findings of a demonstration project that tested the concepts and applications of linking student records using social security numbers with state unemployment insurance (UI) wage and other data sources. It also contains information of value to policymakers, state and local administrators, practitioners, and consumers of…

Designed to provide pre- and inservice vocational education administrators with background information and hands-on experiences for acquiring the skills necessary to direct a program evaluation, this competency-based learning module contains an introduction and four sequential learning experiences. Each learning experience consists of an overview,…

To prepare young people and adults for labor market success, career-technical education (CTE) practitioners must know how to find and use work force information. Recent federal legislation, including the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, underscores the importance of work force education. The nationwide work force information system makes data on…

This paper outlines a model identification procedure for vocational educators to use in determining new and emerging occupations. Reviewed first are major available works dealing with identifying and planning for new and emerging occupations. Detailed discussions are provided of the various components of the model. The first phase of the model to…

In order to be maximally effective, an occupational information system (OIS) designed to support vocational education planning, administration, and client services should contain information dealing with energy, women in the work force, productivity, population demographics, equal opportunity, civil rights, coordination and linkage, new and…

Training indicators are functional suites of quantitative and qualitative indicators of current or future vocational education and training (VET) supply and demand. The training indicators approach to educational planning considers indicators of present and likely future conditions for skilled labor and forms judgments about the most appropriate…