Recent policy reports by Lord Leitch and Sir Michael Lyons on educational skills and corresponding government spending raise the question of how a demand-led system for adult skills led by employers can operate concurrent with intertwined policies driven by different factors. There is also the need to integrate with regional policy and policies…

The overall economic well-being of U.S. rural communities is on the decline. Rural America is now dependent on a highly diversified economy, and its problems will not be resolved through improved farm income alone. Various weaknesses in rural development policies must be addressed. The narrow policy focus on attracting manufacturing industries to…

A policy statement on 1989 public policy agenda by the Council of State Representatives of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is presented. Eight issues were examined, with three being the primary areas for emphasis. They are: (1) educational opportunity and achievement (with such directives as advocating federal…

The five former Soviet republics of Central Asia (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan) have become separate states, developing at different rates and in different directions, and with different political and economic regimes. As a result, the cohesion of the region has broken down and economic development is…

One of a series of productivity primers examining the interrelationship among vocational education, productivity, and economic development, this volume consists of a series of 31 quotations by individuals and organizations pertaining to the major issues and concerns involved in the present and future content of vocational education as a major…

The United States should provide all young people entering the work force with opportunities to develop productive careers. Despite that fact, the nation's schools fail to equip many young people with appropriate skills, the job market often fails to link them to long-term advancement-oriented employment, and their communities often provide few…

Seven pamphlets by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) contain policy statements on the following subjects: (1) quality and effectiveness in undergraduate higher education (stressing the need for a redefinition of educational quality at the undergraduate level); (2) urban state colleges and universities (educating…

In their 2004 State of the State speeches, the nation's governors cited many issues competing for their attention and their states' resources, including health care, education, crime, and security (Nodine 2004). Among the most compelling challenges were those related to economic development and the ability of a state's workforce to meet the needs…

Claiming that current federal educational funding formulas favor those same Sunbelt states that have recently undergone impressive economic growth, some individuals are calling for removal of per capita income factors from funding formulas in order to direct funds away from the Sunbelt and towards the northern or "Frostbelt" states.…

If Europe is to remain at the driving edge, economic and political progress must be complemented by offering a "European vision" to Europe's young people. All young Europeans must be guaranteed access to education and training culminating in acquisition of a foundation of recognized basic knowledge and skills and access to guidance and…

This document contains the text of testimony presented at a congressional hearing examining education's role in economic competitiveness. Senator James M. Jefford's opening statement is followed by testimony given by representatives of the following agencies and organizations: TRW, Inc., Circuit City Stores, Inc., McGraw-Hill, Inc., Drew…

In February 2003, 75 individuals representing business, labor, academia, government, workforce intermediaries, and other sectors participated in an assembly on the role of intermediaries in achieving worker success and business prosperity. The assembly statement outlined policies, approaches, and actions needed to ensure workers' access to…

The bulk of this position paper consists of statements in opposition to a September 2001 referendum on adopting 'right-to-work' (RTW) legislation in Oklahoma. The statements are by Joan Fitzgerald, William Sschweke, Raymond Hogler, Steven Shulman, Stephan Weiler, Ann Markusen, Robert G. Lynch, David R. Howell, James Galbraith, Colin Gordon, Wim…

Finland is challenged to make the most of globalization by reinforcing its positive aspects. The 1990s taught that success in creating innovations is a key factor for success of business and societies. A precondition, high-level technological and business know-how, requires systematic input into producing social innovations that prevent societal…

In this era of constrained resources, the public and private sectors must join forces to revitalize their local urban communities. Public-private partnership means cooperation among individuals and organizations in the public and private sectors for mutual benefit. Such cooperation has two dimensions--the policy dimension and the operational…