Rend Lake College (RLC) has participated in several Pathways to Results (PTR) projects over the last five years. The PTR model has been an essential tool to drive evidence-based changes throughout the College. In 2015, RLC used the PTR Model to evaluate institutional processes related to the Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Student…

One of the greatest challenges that community colleges face in their efforts to increase graduation rates is improving the success of students in their developmental, or remedial, education programs--the courses that students without adequate academic preparation must take before they can enroll in courses for college credit. Emphasizing results…

A four-phased project developed an impact assessment system for vocational education research and development personnel to indicate whether the resources spent for funded projects improved the programs identified by the research and development system. During Phase I, procedures were identified and developed for complying with the impact…

Strategies for integrating academic and vocational skill have been the focus of increasing attention in recent years. The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1990 mandates that state and local education agencies integrate these programs so students achieve both academic and vocational competencies. Implementation of…

This report presents a systematic model of dissemination as outlined for the Illinois Department of Adult, Vocational, and Technical Education, Research Coordinating Unit. A systematic model is described that is comprised of four integrated components, each formulated on a research base. The four elements discussed are (1) conceptual component…

A social learning model focusing on intrinsic outcomes of vocational programs is proposed. It would assess technical skills and knowledge, communication skills and literacy, and personal skills and attitudes. Instruments should be devised to measure characteristics of the learning setting, learner involved activities, and nature of consequences of…

This study examines recent manpower training evaluation studies to illustrate how local program managers can evaluate their programs for greater program effectiveness. An evaluation model was developed to assess the long-term impact of specific classroom and on-the-job training programs on selected participants. Guidelines for program planning are…

This document contains an impact assessment system for vocational education research and development personnel to determine whether resources spent for funded projects improved the programs. It is divided into four sections. Section 1 presents an introduction to the concept of impact, dissemination, and the impact assessment design. In section 2…

Program evaluation is a difficult task, but it must be attempted in order to provide the decision-makers with a basis on which to judge the effectiveness of the program and on which to recommend improvements. Realizing that difficulties may exist, such as in the unique nature of a specific program or in the lack of adequate measurements of…

This guide begins with background information useful to understanding Illinois' framework for implementation and evaluation of Programs of Study. It starts with a visual depiction of the relationships between activity at the federal, state and local levels that evolved to the creation of Illinois' Career Cluster Model. This Model, which is based…

Although most school districts and schools are routinely involved in data collection, they do not typically use the data they collect in a systematic fashion to identify strengths and weaknesses and develop improvement strategies. One reason for the lack of data use is the perception that the data are being collected for someone else's purposes.…

Program advisory committees in vocational education have traditionally been charged with the responsibility of evaluating programs for the purpose of keeping them up to date with business and industry practices and current technology. Rapid technological development and accountability requirements have led to state mandates that the advisory…

Since 1994 South African further education and training (FET) has undergone significant and fundamental changes. These changes include the transfer of colleges between state departments, curriculum revision, forced mergers and a shift in the student population. As a result of the growing interest in, and funding of, vocationally aligned education,…

Described in this paper is one state's approach to the development and operation of a Research Coordinating Unit (RCU), which is designed to orchestrate research and development activities in vocational education within a state. This approach, based on Illinois's model, depicts program improvement as a continuous process involving such activities…

The purpose of this project was to develop a set of model policies, procedures, and agreements that would enhance student articulation among and between secondary and postsecondary vocational education programs. The project was divided into four phases. In the first phase, a nationwide search and review of existing articulation programs and…