To encourage the schools to train students in broad and flexible occupational competencies rather than specific job skills, the Oregon Department of Education has promoted the cluster concept of vocational education. Of the 14 occupational clusters identified as being economically significant in Oregon, business competencies in the accounting,…

The State of Michigan, through its interagency Collaborative Initiative begun in 1979, has established local Interagency Collaborative Boards (ICBs) similar to work-education councils, in 30 of the 33 Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) prime sponsor areas in the state. These boards, unlike mandated councils, are not advisory to any…

Although career pathing would seem to have utility for mental health organizations, little research has been done on such activities. In a survey of 314 administrators employed in 109 community level, public sector mental health organizations, six career types of mental health administrators were identified on the basis of: (1) education; (2)…

The movement toward greater democracy and participative decision making in the workplace of advanced capitalist societies is analyzed in terms of accompanying educational reforms. Eight chapters examine dominant views of education and work, the consequences of overeducation in society, the movement toward workplace democracy, specific reforms,…

The Patterns of Linkage project investigated the assumption that linkages between training institutions and employers can reduce discrepancies between training programs and employer demands, and hence increase the employability of youth. The purpose of the study was to examine and describe patterns of linkage between training institutions and…

A study was conducted to expand and disseminate the school-to-work transition skill activities begun in a 1980-81 project in Pennsylvania by focusing on two groups: vocational instructors and disadvantaged vocational students. Questionnaires were created and mailed to 903 teachers, with a 50 percent usable response; while a student survey was sent…

A study was conducted to determine if the speech communication programs in Texas colleges and universities were providing the skills needed by industry. A survey of current business journals revealed seven skills needed by college graduates seeking employment in business: (1) public speaking skills, (2) knowledge of communication theory and flow…

Appropriate for college level introductory sociology classes, five units on empirical research use empirical results that are true, demonstrable, causal, and thought-provoking. The units take educational attainment as the main variable, drawing on data from the decennial census and the NORC Social Surveys. Each unit begins with a lecture, followed…

At the conference on American high school reform sponsored by the Council for Basic Education, three themes emerged: (1) the problems facing secondary schools have been accurately identified; (2) educators know the solutions; and (3) what is needed is the political will to implement what is known. At the conference, Professor Chester Finn…

Questionnaires were completed by 169 accountants and 146 bankers in a study conducted to ascertain what communication tasks are performed frequently in accounting and banking and what competencies are needed for success in performing these tasks. The results indicated that all communication tasks were performed on an almost daily to almost weekly…

Since negotiations are continually taking place around the world, speech communication departments would be wise to update their curricular offerings by adding a course in negotiation theory and practice, or by supplementing courses with a unit in negotiation. An initial technique for introducing students to negotiation involves brainstorming. As…

Although much concern has been expressed about the quality of training and preparation of student affairs professionals, no studies have been reported which examine the perceptions of student affairs practitioners and faculty trainers regarding training for specified professional competencies. A national study was conducted to examine the…

This digest examines reasons for youth unemployment and its effects, the counselor's role in school-to-work transitions, vocational adjustment, intervention strategies, and current needs. (BH)

Those seeking or those who have obtained a communications degree often ask what they can do with their degree. Their quest for universal employment categories uniquely appropriate for communication majors is shaped by four beliefs: (1) content expertise is the primary asset the communication major brings to a potential employer; (2) communication…

This hearing concerned an amendment of the Job Training Partnership Act that would establish an education component in the summer youth employment programs funded under part B, Title II, of that Act. The first bill discussed (H.R. 1090) would convert the existing programs to ones that (1) provide basic academic and functional competencies for…