The context of this study was to examine factors contributing to significant workforce shortages in building trades in the United States. As it is, recruitment of qualified skilled trades workers is becoming increasingly difficult due to lack of a pipeline of prospective workers, and training programs. The study assumed a theoretical inquiry…

A significant workforce shortage exists in most skilled trades areas in the U.S., but this is especially true in building and construction trades. The number of jobs in the construction industry is expected to grow by almost 20% between 2008 to 2018, while only growing by 11% for all other industries. With the prospect of significant shortages in…

Federal legislation has attempted to move career and technical education (CTE) from a segregated component of the high school curriculum to an integrated element that jointly improves both academic and career readiness. However, concerns remain about the ability of CTE to improve academic learning. Using a nationally representative sample of high…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between high school curriculum tracks and student achievement outcomes through the consideration of degree attainment and occupational earnings. Data pertaining to graduates were analyzed through the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) 1997 dataset. This study investigated the…

This paper presents an argument supported by evidence that the positive effects of education reform legislation take time to accumulate, and, given time, have the power to bring about improvement. Specifically, the course-taking patterns in mathematics of CTE students in the years following the 1990 Perkins II Act and 1994 School-to- Work…

High schools have traditionally focused on preparing students for entry-level jobs or for postsecondary education. Recently, federal legislation (e.g., 1990 and 1998 Perkins Acts) has encouraged a more integrated approach for all students, one that maintains college entry as a viable option while also providing a stronger foundation in work skills…

A study compared student participation and program features in high school vocational education programs in school year 1993-94 (after enactment of Perkins amendments) with 1990-91 (before enactment). Questionnaires were mailed to a nationally representative sample of public secondary schools and their associated central district offices in two…

The 1990 Perkins Amendments and the 1994 School-to-Work Opportunities Act encouraged high schools and community colleges to combine academic with vocational curriculum in a program that includes work-related applications and creates clearer pathways from secondary to postsecondary education. To ensure the readiness of educators, institutions that…

This document, which is intended for secondary and postsecondary administrators, coordinators, and others in Wisconsin who are responsible for seeking funding for tech prep projects, details 1996 project application guidelines for funding under Title III E of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1990. Presented in…

This document reports the proceedings of a teleconference convened to acquaint vocational education leaders and the vocational education community with the federal guidelines for "tech prep" programs as well as the elements of successful programs. About 700 down-link sites from 48 states participated in the conference, with an etimated…

Tech Prep programs have been designed and structured to forge strong and comprehensive links between secondary and postsecondary education institutions. Programs within these institutions lead to completion of an associate degree or two-year certificate, provide technical preparation in specified fields, build student competence, and lead to…

This booklet outlines federal and Ohio guidelines regarding tech prep programs. Presented first is a map depicting the 24 Ohio consortia developed during the 4 phases of statewide planning of tech prep in Ohio. The next section of the booklet, which is devoted to federal provisions regarding tech prep, includes the definition of tech prep…

A study examined the extent to which Texas vocational/applied technology programs and statewide and regional services and activities designed to eliminate sex bias and stereotyping are meeting students' needs. Questionnaires were sent to the directors/coordinators of 21 funded sex equity programs, administrators of career and technology education…

In a study of integration of vocational and academic education in Texas, administrators of a stratified random sample of 112 school districts in the state were surveyed, and 65% responded. Steps toward integration were being taken in 84% of the districts; however, only four districts have implemented integration plans described as comprehensive.…

The practice and processes of articulated tech prep programs were examined in Spring 1991. Two major areas of focus were getting a general picture of the status of tech prep programs in the United States and learning about tech prep programs for at-risk students. A literature review focused on three areas: definition, background, and philosophy;…