Southern Regional Education Board's (SREB's) "High Schools That Work" ("HSTW") initiative works with more than 1,100 schools in 30 states and the District of Columbia to improve school and classroom practices and prepare more students for success in postsecondary studies, advanced training and careers. Forty-nine Arkansas…

Curriculum integration (CI) is an educational strategy aimed primarily at students who take significant numbers of both academic and vocational courses either as part of a formal program or on their own. Its goal is to enhance the learning of these students by breaking down the traditional barrier that exists in most schools between the two…

The Stages of Concern Questionnaire was completed by 677 of 1,207 teachers at High Schools that Work sites. Those with no experience or first-year experience of reform implementation had high personal concerns that needed to be addressed. About half had high levels of adoption proneness indicating their potential to be reform leaders. (SK)

The integration of academic and vocational education is an educational reform strategy conceptualized by vocational educators, supported by the business community, and articulated by policy makers. Integration may improve the educational and employment opportunities of youth. Integration may offer change in an educational system that is in need of…

Tech-prep programs are built on the premise that youth must become involved in the development of a technological society. Several models for integrating tech prep with academic education hold promise. (JOW)

A study examined the performance of the High Schools That Work (HSTW) initiative in 1996 and 1998, based on data from the HSTW Assessments. Analyses found support for the hypothesis that HSTW is the cause of school improvement, although other non-measured factors may also influence these schools, and showed that between 1996-98 HSTW schools…

American Indian Studies (AIS) faces many problems in its attempt to emerge as an academic discipline, but several activities, individuals, and concepts offer possible solutions. AIS is a conceptually rudderless discipline, isolated both within the academic environment and from its cultural roots, and functioning as career ladder for those who wish…

This operational handbook begins with a history of the Partnership for Academic and Career Education (PACE). Section II focuses on tech prep programs--definition, purpose, and goals and advanced standing components. Section III describes the organization and function of PACE. These components are included: coordinating board, curriculum committee,…

Initiatives to improve vocational education--such as tech prep, the School-to-Work Opportunities Act (STWOA), and Goals 2000: Educate America Act--are full of promise. Case studies prepared by the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America illustrate the potential of these initiatives. Massachusetts and Wisconsin are two recipients of federal STWOA…

This document is intended to assist members of Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) technical assistance teams who are making site visits for the purpose of helping high school leaders and teachers identify the changes needed to achieve the High Schools That Work goal of improved student achievement through blending high-level academic and…

The aim of a practicum was to integrate language arts and vocational education at the high school level. The following strategies were used: collaboration with vocational teachers; development of cross-curricula activities; reinforcement and evaluation of communication skills in the vocational areas; infusion of occupational relevancy into…

This first volume of a sourcebook presents a framework for identifying best practices of integrating career preparation into the community college. An introduction identifies seven domains of competency critical for postsecondary students: foundation academic competencies, education for citizenship, job specific/technical skills, career…

These guidelines are for individuals and school divisions contemplating or already integrating academic and vocational education. Section 1 discusses two goals for integration. Section 2 provides a justification for integration and discusses the contradiction in the skills obtained in school and those needed in the workplace. Section 3 defines the…

This second volume of a sourcebook is a collection of 46 examples of innovative practices colleges and technical institutes are using to impart the seven domains of career preparation described in volume I. A table of contents in chart format provides this information: page, identification (model and description, college), academic level (transfer…

This combination literature review and guide is designed to provide classroom teachers, administrators, and teacher educators with practical information on the best academic and vocational education integration practices described in the literature. Section 1 examines the rationale for integrating academic and vocational education and summarizes…