As community college leaders weigh the changing needs of society, they must consider several questions: whether they offer training programs that lack commitment to general education, dilute standards, accommodate fads of the marketplace at the expense of educational substance, and do nothing to redesign the curriculum. (MLW)

Based on calculations of private and social rates of return on a student's investment in a Japanese secondary or college education, a government loan program for all capable students needing aid is proposed and its potential economic impact described. Comparisons are made with rates of return in the United States. (MJL)

Assesses the results of a survey of organizations which hire individuals with a biological background, focusing on future hiring plans, level of education, employment selection factors, typical positions, and where jobs are listed. Recommends developing communication skills, maintaining high grades, and relevant work experience as keys to…

This paper analyzes labor market behaviors of young adults, their changing patterns among two cohorts that are twenty years apart, and their associations with transitions to adulthood as measured by living with parents, being married, or cohabiting. We analyze these issues using data from the 1979 and 1997 cohorts of he National Longitudinal…

People of color make up a vital and growing part of Metro Boston's workforce, yet they face substantial challenges in obtaining employment (especially in faster-growing and higher-paying sectors), in reaching locations of rapid job growth, and in earning a livable income. Latinos and blacks face the greatest hurdles, yet certain Asian populations…

Graduation rates are a fundamental indicator of whether or not the nation's public school system is doing what it is intended and funded to do: enroll, engage, and educate youth to be productive members of society. Graduation rates are not just a "bottom line" for schools--they are critical predictors of individual achievement and have undeniable…

Data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS2) are designed to provide a national picture of the rate at which secondary school students with disabilities complete high school and how they fare in their early postschool years. Further, comparisons of findings from NLTS2 and the original NLTS enables an investigation of changes in…

This paper is intended to promote discussion among professionals, policymakers, employers, parents, and individuals with disabilities concerning current and future challenges facing secondary education and transition services nationally. The issues identified and discussed should not, however, be viewed as inclusive of the full range of possible…

This brief summarizes the findings of Mathematica's Valuing Competencies study, which analyzed the effects of students' high school competencies on their postsecondary earnings and educational attainment. The effects of several competency measures, including academic achievement (as captured by test scores) and composite measures of leadership…

For decades it has been a commonly held belief that high school students planning to go to college need to take more rigorous coursework than those going directly into the workforce. Today, however, many employers are convinced that in an expanding global economy, entry-level workers need much the same knowledge and skills as college-going…

This study explored how key shareholders (student, parents, educators, and employers) can merge Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals with employers' expectations to improve the chance of successful transitioning from student to employee. A survey was conducted of 26 parents, teachers-of-service (TOS), teachers-of-record (TOR), transition…

Work-based learning (WBL) includes a range of activities that extend beyond traditional cooperative education, such as job shadowing, service learning, internships, and apprenticeships--all of which provide career and technical education (CTE) students with valuable experience in the world of work. Several issues are involved in developing…

Two alternative paradigms can be identified in the concepts and programs of training and employment policy in Europe. One approach focuses on developing a secure status for young people beginning their working life. An alternative approach concentrates more on strengthening individual responsibility to empower individuals to find their own way in…

This curriculum was developed to support American Indian high school students in their transition from high school to postsecondary life. It provides a structured process and culturally relevant activities that can be led by either teachers, tribal elders, community members, or paraprofessionals. The curriculum is based on principles such as a…

A study compared developments in size of apprenticeship programs and changes in the distribution of apprentices over occupational categories in Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands during the last 2 decades. Data were from the "time-series" school leavers' surveys database. Findings indicated, toward the late 1990s, Irish…