The European trend toward transition education--programs designed by governments to ease the transition between compulsory education and work--is analyzed, including the variety of programs underway, differences between transition and other school-based education, administrative issues, and assessment of qualifications and certification. (MSE)

In the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), vocational education is designed to assist in the achievement of political, economic, and social aims. The emphasis that the USSR constitution places on "socially useful work" and its results has been consistently reflected in legislation governing vocational training since 1919. Not…

This paper deals with continuities and changes over the period 1963 to 1976 in the organization and goals of the federally supported vocational education program. Summarized first are major pieces of vocational education passed in the years from 1917 to 1963, including the Vocational Education Act of 1917, the Vocational Education Act of 1946, the…

The changing face of further education (FE) college governance in England and Wales was examined in a study that included the following activities: (1) a survey of 447 FE colleges across England and Wales (response rate, 55%) to identify the composition and operation of governing bodies, proposed changes, perceived developmental needs; and areas…

This document examines the state of regulated professions, as defined by Council of the European Communities Directive 92/51/EEC, in those Central and Eastern European countries that are candidates for admission into the European Union. The introduction discusses Council Directive 92/51/EEC, previous directives, and the national case studies on…

This document consists of six reports that each provide essential basic information on the organization of the education system of one of the following countries as of 1995-1996: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia. Each report includes information on some or all of the following aspects of the given country's initial…

The extent and nature of Australia's school-industry programs in 1996 were examined through a survey of 1,868 government and nongovernment schools and programs. It was conducted using a questionnaire similar to that which had been used in 1995. According to the 1,453 completed questionnaires (response rate 78%) by 11th and 12th grade students, 62%…

The 1998 Workforce Investment Act (WIA) consolidates more than 70 programs and gives states the flexibility to partner with local governments to develop streamlined services providing universal access. Because adult education and postsecondary vocational education are required partners in the one-stop systems being established through Title I of…

Developments in vocational education and training (VET) in Tanzania and Zimbabwe since the 1980s were examined in the context of economic reform. Formal VET provision in each country's public and private sectors was reviewed, and case studies of one firm in each country's manufacturing and tourism industries were conducted. The research identified…

A study examined national trends and state policy in Washington State pertaining to the administration and funding of area vocational skills centers. During the study, key persons associated with Washington's skills centers were interviewed and surveyed concerning the following areas: policy and planning, curriculum and instruction, student…

This report contains 12 papers about and from a 3-day teacher and trainer training workshop that was attended by 37 individuals representing 12 European Union partner countries and 7 member states. The following papers are included: "For a Modern Organisation of Training Institutions and a Corresponding Professionalism of Teachers and…

Of those 16-year-olds who stay on in full-time education, almost half choose to do so in further (adult) education. Although the percentage of students enrolled in general education programs has fallen off slightly since 1980, this group still forms the largest single group of 16-to-19-year-old students in the United Kingdom. Of all of the areas…

The literacy programs and policies implemented in Australia over the past decade were reviewed to identify initiatives that have and have not had a positive impact on vocational education and training (VET) and lifelong learning opportunities. Policies and practices in seven other countries were also reviewed. The following themes received…

This document reviews progress in vocational education and training (VET) reform in the candidate countries for accession to the European Union in light of developments in European policy on vocational training. The document consists of a cross-country overview and individual overviews of VET in 12 candidate countries: Bulgaria, the Czech…

This report reviews the current situation of Bulgaria's vocational education and training (VET) system to identify challenges facing the system and areas needing reform. Section 1 explores the following five aspects of Bulgaria's political and socioeconomic situation: (1) demography; (2) economic developments (privatization of state enterprises,…