Although most people agree that not enough entry workers possess the skills required for success in the workplace, few individuals are able to articulate clearly why and where the skills gap occurs. Despite the popularity of blaming schools and curricula, little hard evidence exists to support the claim that U.S. secondary school performance is…

School-to-work programs in postsecondary education have the potential to help young people find their first full-time jobs and acquire a capacity for learning while they work. Data show cooperative education students' wages are neither higher nor lower than those of non-co-op students. However, one evaluation has found the following: co-op…

A study assessed the long-term effectiveness of the Washington State Displaced Homemaker Program (DHP) through graduates' attainment of educational and/or employment goals and the maintenance of self-confidence over time. A total of 5,550 surveys were mailed to DHP graduates of 6 sites participating in this project. The six sites offered…

This report examines the provisions of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act and describes the steps that have been taken thus far to establish an Ohio system. It discusses the general features that must be included in Ohio's school-to-work system and the strategies around which Ohio's school-to-work plans are being structured. Recommendations are…

Since May 1991, College of the Canyons (CoC) in California, has conducted annual surveys of the registered nursing graduates. As of May 1994, 160 surveys have been distributed and 100 completed surveys have been received. An analysis of responses over the 4-year period and comparisons between years indicate the following: (1) 87.9% of the…

This document presents the proceedings of a symposium which discussed critical issues in employment of persons with disabilities in Europe, Australia, and North America. After introductions, the major presentations included the following: "Labor Market Forces" (Roderick A. DeArment, U.S. Department of Labor); "Civil Rights in the…

This book contains four articles on adult higher education (AHE) in Finland. In the preface, Matti Parjanen outlines the development of AHE in Finland and discusses the rationale for the book. In "Adult Education and Universities in the Era of Economic Depression," Osmo Kivinen and Risto Rinne examine the dilemma between the mission of…

Two studies tested the feasibility of a national school-to-work transition venture. One study involved focus groups of employers in eight cities to identify incentives encouraging employers to take part in youth work-based learning programs. The second involved a telephone survey of employers in seven cities who had participated in local…

A team of representatives of Virginia state agencies involved in career preparation and employment examined the development and establishment of school-to-work transition (SWT) programs in Virginia. The team conducted a literature review and analyzed 42 selected state programs. The 16 school-based programs primarily provided classroom instruction…

Based on interviews with Community Development Corporation (CDC) personnel from many organizations conducted at 10 sites throughout the country, this report presents an overview of CDCs and employment training, supported by detailed case studies. The report is organized in six chapters on the following topics: employment training and the changing…

This set of factsheets presents information and statistics about adolescent mothers in the United States in the areas of: (1) births and marriage; (2) aid to families of dependent children (AFDC); (3) education and training; (4) living arrangements; and (5) subsequent pregnancy. Even though the adolescent birth rate in the United States is…

The National Alliance of Business (NAB) reported recently on the National Workforce Assistance Collaborative that works with community colleges and other educational institutions to build their capacity to develop the work force of the 21st century. NAB had conducted a series of focus groups with participants from business, industry, education,…

Project COED (Career Opportunities through Education for Persons with Disabilities) was developed to: (1) provide career instruction for adults who are functionally mentally retarded, through job training opportunities in food services, clerical/office work, or housekeeping/janitorial work; (2) increase levels of clients' financial independence;…

Many higher education institutions serve students enrolled in specialized training courses who receive undergraduate certificates rather than degrees. In academic year 1991-92, almost 65,000 postsecondary students earned certificates for programs of less than 1 year, and nearly 117,000 completed requirements for programs lasting between 1 and 2…

This paper examines how creative thinking techniques can be used to help rural educators provide effective transition programs and services to secondary students. Factors affecting transition in rural areas include a small, homogenous economic base; travel time and distance between job sites; lack of services and trained staff; the community role…