Federal legislation has driven and been receptive to the vision of a rigorous, relevant career and technical education (CTE) system integrated with academics and aligned across middle school, secondary school, and postsecondary education. This article uses a social policy analysis approach to trace the history of federal CTE policy throughout the…

In 1998, President Clinton signed the federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Implemented in 2000, WIA replaced the Job Partnership Training Act (JTPA) as the primary federal job training program. Congress viewed WIA as a way to end "business as usual" in the workforce investment system. WIA aimed to transform the employment and training…

This bibliography summarizes recent research on the structure and effectiveness of workforce development programs. While the term "workforce development" can mean many things, this document focuses on programs to help low-skill, low-wage and displaced workers increase their employment and earnings, as well as labor market trends that…

Introduces the Department of Labor's Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which provides the framework for a national workforce preparation and employment system that meets the needs of businesses, job seekers, and those wishing to further their careers. State workforce investment boards will be established, and states will develop 5-year strategic…

Describes results of the Enterprise Zone Act, which encourages businesses and industries to locate or remain in depressed areas "by means of relaxed government controls and tax incentives in these areas." Also discusses uses of 8 percent set-aside funds from the Job Training Partnership Act. (CT)

Describes the Department of Labor's Workforce Investment Act (WIA), which repeals the Job Training Partnership Act. WIA is designed to improve currently fragmented efforts to serve many different needs and purposes and to deliver services to both job seekers and employers. It encourages elected state and local officials to establish new boards…

A model demonstrating how performance incentives may encourage cream skimming (selecting participants with a high likelihood of success) was applied to data from 16 Job Training Partnership Act training centers. Short-term performance measures were weakly and perversely related to long-term impacts, but efficiency gains/losses from skimming were…

Reports the results of the National Commission for Employment Policy's report on populations served by the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). Results indicate that Hispanic Americans are underrepresented in JTPA programs; Hispanic community-based organizations are currently being polled to identify reasons for this underrepresentation. (CH)

This book-length report, prepared for the Subcommittee on Employment Opportunities of the House Committee on Education and Labor, describes the first comprehensive state-wide assessment of training programs--specifically the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)--in Illinois. The introduction assesses the JTPA in Illinois, a State with high…

Several independent analyses of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) indicate that it has achieved mixed results and has failed to effectively serve disadvantaged youth and school dropouts. It can only offer short-term, low-cost programs, and has difficulty in attracting youths. The number of dropouts being served is declining. The…

Provisions of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and differences between it and previous manpower training acts present questions for potential training institutions. Suggested ways of dealing with these questions are discussed. The first question concerns steps to become a contractor of training programs under JTPA. These include (1)…

The authors suggest a computerized approach to evaluation of the progress of job training programs. The approach has great potential to meet the needs of managers of Job Training Partnership Act employment and training programs. (Author/CH)

Discusses the concept of "fixed-unit price contracting," an arrangement that is becoming popular with private industry councils (PICs). Guidelines include (1) find out as much as you can about the PIC's requirements; (2) figure out whether you can meet the PIC's requirements; and (3) keep in mind that most elements of a fixed-unit price…

This article examines the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and explores desirable evaluation methods and criteria suggested by the language in the current legislation and by the contemporary literature about program evaluation. Related problems and opportunities for JTPA evaluation are discussed. (CT)

Examines the effects of combined on-the-job and classroom training on the employability of Job Training Partnership Act terminees completing a two-year training activity in Missouri. Although combined program participants' employability was enhanced immediately after the program's termination, this advantage disappeared after one year. Benefits…