Reviews the third report about the plight of the U.S. workforce. "America's Choice: High Skills or Low Wages" deals with workers without a college education and non-college bound youth, a group called frontline workers who are ill equipped to meet employers' needs and ill prepared for the rapidly approaching high technology, service-oriented…

The relationship between education policy and the workplace is explored in its historical context. Vocational education is examined as instrumental action and as symbolic action linked to the rise of professionalism and the modern industrial system. (SLD)

Two dimensions of values in adult education are whether study is viewed as an instrument or an intrinsic value and whether learning is self-directed or externally directed. The values and goals of liberal adult education and adult education in working life, as well as the attitudes of adult educators, sometimes conflict. Social change requires…

The article describes a process for use in high-school transition programs to promote student independence within the context of vocational training. Strategies described include: evaluating student independence in community-based settings, teaching student adaptability, and transferring control of student independence to work-related stimuli. A…

The article describes the Oregon Transition to Employment Project, a three-year federally supported project, which investigated and identified strategies school programs can use to prepare students with physical and multiple disabilities for the transition from school to community-based employment. (DB)

This study supports the conclusion that marketing education (ME) programs at both secondary and postsecondary levels are making important contributions to business in Minnesota snd Texas. It provides a more structured approach to examining the nature of ME on marketing and on students. (JOW)

High school vocationalism is changing because of strong economic pressures. The U.S., with a strong vocational education tradition, is shifting to broad-based preparation for work and higher order thinking skills. In Great Britain, vocationalist influence is seen as a broadening of certification, career and work awareness programs, school and…

The impact of language skills on earnings should be measured using multivariate analysis with a model of the earnings determination process. Analysis of data on the 1973 earnings of university graduates revealed that cross-tabular and multivariate results were quite different. The former method attributed other earnings determinants to language…

Discusses a survey of 200 counselors, placement coordinators, vocational resource educators, and administrators on the priorities regarding services to handicapped and disadvantaged students. Discusses the importance of guidance counselors to the transition of special needs students. (JOW)

Reports findings from a survey of parents whose mildly disabled children participated in a time-limited transition program--Job Training and Tryout--after leaving the public school system. Examines parents' expectations and perceptions of vocational abilities and training needed to facilitate the transition process. (JOW)

The author discusses major forces for change and their impact on two-year postsecondary industrial education. He offers suggestions in several areas, including (1) broadened offerings, (2) older students, (3) marketing, (4) intake procedures, (5) instructional improvement, (6) declining and emerging occupations, and (7) employment placement. (CH)

Assesses the potential of occupational analysis to redefine the aims of work education to afford students increased participation in the social and economic changes characterizing contemporary work. Faults the prevalence of "social efficiency" over "social growth" in educational objectives, advocating instructional emphasis on interrelations…

The authors review the concept of andragogy and synthesize recent criticisms of this theory. The use of andragogical techniques in job training is discussed. The authors conclude that, despite some weaknesses, andragogy is important in that it makes the teacher sensitive to the needs and interests of the learner. (CH)

The author states that the labor force will include increasing numbers of the poor, minorities, and women. The educational system helps these individuals prepare for jobs that will require high levels of skill and education. He discusses six major reform proposals, all of which address career development needs of new labor force entrants. (CH)

Presents results of a study of school-based enterprise in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. Provides examples of a variety of programs that help students become flexible, self-reliant, independent, and self-directed enough to cope with change creatively. (CH)