Describes design and development of work skills simulation intended to help youth acquire skills, attitudes, behaviors, and effective competencies necessary for making the transition to work. Discusses the degree to which the simulation met its objectives in recent field tests, and briefly reviews student learning outcomes. (Author/LKS)

In critiquing the Sandia Report, Lawrence Stedman faulted it and other revisionist reports for emphasizing trend data rather than quality and not acknowledging educational requirements within a democratic society. The article addresses the issues, presenting evidence from additional studies to argue that none of Stedman's general contentions…

A survey of 100 Wisconsin secondary schools found that students with disabilities did not use a full range of vocational programs, that only 37 percent of students had participated in vocational assessment activities, and that half had vocational goals included in their Individualized Education Programs. Results are discussed in terms of access…

Specific recommendations are made to implement education in science/technology/environment/society (STES) issues in Canadian schools. Functional STES literacy will enable students to take positions on issues based on their cognitive analyses and value systems. Contemporary science teaching neglects the problem solving that real STES education will…

This article examines informal transition-related assessment procedures for use with students with mild disabilities. The article includes a rationale for assessing transition-related variables; assessment procedures for kindergarten through grade 6 and for grade 7 through grade 12 and a discussion of common features of practical,…

This paper reviews barriers to developing work study options for students with mild mental retardation. These include the debate over the existence of the entity mental retardation, the relationship of political/economic factors and schooling, the purpose and content of secondary education, and the interaction of personal values with these…

The seven chapters of this theme issue present a state-of-the-art review of research studies into the effectiveness of economic and labor market results of continuing education. Substantive results and research methodology are examined in these examples of effectiveness research. Conceptual and methodological diversity characterize these studies.…

Data on employment rates, job changes, continuing education participation, and access to benefit packages are reported for 94 youths with mild disabilities who participated in a transition program with an intensive postsecondary component. Program participants had favorable outcomes when compared with a national sample, but they stabilized at an…

The upward differentiation of occupation-specific education and training to postcompulsory levels in developed nations has been replicated in newly industrializing countries and is being considered by some developing countries. These educational reforms comprise structural changes in sponsorship, finance, delivery, and locus of occupational…

A study investigated the attitudes of engineering students (n=167) and graduates (n=220) who had taken courses which were enhanced to better prepare them for professional practice than conventional courses. In general, these students and graduates viewed their courses more favorably than those (n=353) in conventional courses. Some complaints were…

Includes discussions of the future of the National Association of Industrial and Technical Teacher Educators (Walker); policies for work and education (Wirth); industrial teacher education (Frantz); technical teacher education (Adams); technology teacher education (Lewis); creativity (Stern); reaction to theme articles (Hudecki); and a response to…

Study compared classroom performance of novice, advanced beginner, and expert teachers, examining subject matter knowledge and delivery, educational connoisseurship, nonverbal behavior, and systematic observation. Results indicate teachers without pedagogical training are less able to keep students on task, provide appropriate feedback, deliver…

Analyses of occupational forecasts have played a prominent role in the debate over the skill and educational implications of technological change and other economic developments. Discusses trends in occupations over the last 15 years and projected trends through the year 2000. Points out the limitations of occupational forecasting in guiding…

This article describes LINK, a campus-based program of William Paterson College of New Jersey that bridges the interval between secondary school-leaving and full community participation for youth with mild disabilities. The paper describes student participants, undergraduate student mentors, the campus setting, program structure, student…

Discusses the impact of technological change on the technical and "employability" skills required of the modern labor force. Outlines specific content and faculty upgrading areas that general education programs should address to meet workforce needs. Discusses the current crisis in vocational education and the relationship between general…