Using results from a survey of British graduates, examined outcomes of higher education for older students, including their current employment situation, relationship of degree to job, and student satisfaction. Found that mature students are an extremely heterogeneous group, with differences in outcomes by age and mode of study. (EV)

Describes the locus of learning concept formulated by the German Education Council in the 1970s. Argues that research on the place of learning is one of the core topics of research on vocational education. Explores concept of learning at work. Points out desiderata and perspectives on research on learning places. (CAJ)

This article presents a model for integrating transition planning into the Individualized Education Program (IEP) with a focus on developing quality student-centered strategic plans. Strategies for developing effective transition practices, following meaningful processes, and creating efficient and effective IEP products are described. (Contains…

High school students in formal work-based mentoring (n=15), informal workplace mentoring (n-24), no mentoring (n=23), or no employment (n-28) were compared. At year's end, formally mentored students believed more strongly in school's relevance to work. Mentored students had higher self-esteem than the unemployed. Those highly satisfied with…

Assessed effects of college selectivity and control on earnings and indebtedness. Found evidence of a substantial earnings return to college selectivity and control, and that enhanced earnings for graduates from selective private colleges quickly offset their associated heavier debt. Problematic issues include a mix of high debt loads and sub-par…

Four themes emerged from analysis of interviews with an Australian college graduate: uncertainty, inflated expectations, the work experience paradox, and difficult adjustment. Insights included beliefs and expectations about the opportunities from a college education and the likelihood of procrastination about life-altering decisions. (Contains 76…

A survey of Swiss university graduates (n=7,791) found that starting a family and involvement in childcare generally do not represent obstacles to suitable employment, except for natural science and engineering graduates. However, it is relatively rare for recent graduates with children to accept trainee positions, which could have a negative…

Describes background for school-to-work effort in Massachusetts, the state's design and implementation of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act (STWOA) of 1994, the local impact of the state's STWOA grant, challenges to making school-to-work a top priority of state education reform strategies to improve student achievement, and state and local…

A new Dutch training program prepares school dropouts as assistants, enabling them to work at low-skilled jobs and prepare for continued study. Regional training centers are still seeking workable instructional models for the program. Greater emphasis should be placed on the relationship between this initial training and future training. (Contains…

Surveyed business schools to profile differences between undergraduate international programs based on the success of the program's placement of students in internationally related jobs upon graduation. Found that schools with good and bad placement success largely agreed on elements needed to internationalize the curriculum, although programs…

Question/Answer session with Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, D.J. and C.S. Davidson Professor of Psychology at the Drucker School of Management, Claremont Graduate University, and author of "Becoming Adult: How Teenagers Prepare for the World of Work." Covers such topics such as student engagement, challenge, and flow experience. (PKP)

Argues that the professional educator can make a major contribution to the workplace literacy effort by working closely with a content expert for the particular business. Describes a five-step procedure to conduct a "literacy audit": observe employees; collect materials; conduct interviews; assess skills; and develop assessment measures. (RS)

We have not reached the literacy goals set by James Allen in 1969, and we will not have universal adult literacy by the year 2000, as the President and the nation's governors have projected. However, some modest gains in reading proficiency occurred in the 1970s. Focusing limited resources will help. Includes 24 references. (MLH)

Describes the secondary vocational/special education program at Elk Mound, Wisconsin, that was selected as one of 12 exemplary programs nationwide for use of Carl Perkins funding. The program prepares students with disabilities for the work world through participation in mainstream vocational courses. (Author/JOW)

Reports that, irrespective of age or occupational class, the majority of 111 Nigerian villagers agreed that going to school is not the best way of securing employment. Discusses the rising school dropout rate, the strong government commitment to universal primary education, and the vigor of the indigenous apprenticeship system. (SV)