The growing chasm between society's complex problems and what the systems can do to help is driving reform in all sectors. Just as schools alone cannot compensate for the disadvantage created by troubled homes and communities, welfare and social agencies cannot hold out a hopeful future to clients lacking employment abilities. Comprehensive…

At-risk students are often poor and members of minority groups. Solutions to the dropout problem are inseparably tied to combating poverty and could stimulate far-reaching educational change. Researchers have identified several elements of successful dropout prevention programs, including the need for early prevention; aggressive leadership;…

The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1990 represents the largest amount of federal funding ever authorized for vocational education. Effective July 1, 1991, the act enables Congress to spend up to $1.6 billion per year on state and local programs that teach the "skill competencies necessary to work in a…

This digest describes parent involvement in their children's education from the perspective of migrant parents and educators and offers strategies to enhance the experience of schooling for migrant students and their families. Teachers often perceive parent involvement as preparing children for school, attending school events, and fulfilling…

The purpose of this monograph is to describe a model for the infusion of career development in adult basic education (ABE) programs and to provide guidelines for program administrators and facilitators. Career development theory is applied to adults, and the specific career needs of ABE students--who are apt to be from disadvantaged…

Research generally points to a negative relationship between school or district size and student achievement. When all else is held equal (particularly community or individual socioeconomic status), comparisons of schools and districts based on differences in enrollment generally favor smaller units. A recent study found that small elementary…

Cognitive, social, and organizational problems put some groups at a disadvantage in learning mathematics, science, and technology. Recent programs and policies have begun to improve these inequalities. Minorities and women can benefit from long-term programs that help them to recontextualize information, reduce their anxiety, and spend more time…

This digest reviews the population characteristics of migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their children. Since the 1960s, federal programs for migrant workers and their families have multiplied. However, these programs have differing definitions for "migrant and seasonal farmworker," and no current data system provides a reliable count…

Summarized in this book are conference presentations focusing on new approaches to developmental screening of infants and strategies for early intervention with children at-risk. Summaries concerning assessment describe characteristics of an "optimality scale" for neurological assessment; a five-step neurological assessment for…

Higher standards in public schools have made it necessary for educational reformers to identify at-risk students and to develop effective programs for preventing their failure. This pamphlet begins by delineating the characteristics of at-risk students and discussing evaluation instruments that are useful for identifying such students. Successful…

With the recent increase in the number of students wishing to enter vocational programs and the increased pressure on accountability and efficiency, vocational educators need to reexamine their policies regarding the selection and admission of students. Several considerations that complicate these decisions are (1) open-door policies that exist in…

Reauthorization of welfare reform legislation has focused attention on the effectiveness of short-term training as a means for welfare recipients to attain self-sufficiency. Its effects on employment and earnings have been one focus of recent evaluations of federal programs. Although some Job Opportunities and Basic Skills programs produced…

"The ERIC Review," announces research results, publications, and new programs relevant to each issue's theme topic. This issue exammines children's readiness to enter school, via two principal articles: "Readiness: Children and Their Schools," by Lilian G. Katz; and "Getting Ready for Readiness: A Case Study," by…

This paper examines adult vocational education in the context of the current vocational education system. The first of four major sections defines and discusses the background of adult vocational education. In section 2, a typology of vocational education is presented, followed by a discussion of three funding categories as they relate to adult…

This document begins with an overview of trends and issues in the area of access and equity in vocational education. The overview briefly addresses: emphasis in federal vocational education legislation on support of increased vocational education opportunities for special target populations, lack of success to date in certain areas of access and…