The Secondary Individualized Learning Center at the Lexington (NY) School for the Deaf emphasizes instruction of multiply handicapped students in life skills for survival in an urban environment. The curriculum focuses on independent living and work related skills in a hierarchy of work experiences from volunteer jobs to competitive employment.…

Describes a program in which high school students from St. Paul, Minnesota volunteer at the local Red Cross. Cites examples of students who entered the volunteer program with personal problems and were able to overcome them through meaningful work experience at the Red Cross. (Author/GC)

Which method of instruction is more effective for postsecondary students: competency-based or traditional? This study reveals that the effectiveness of one method over the other depends on work experience of the student. (Author)

Criticisms commonly lodged against apprenticeships and vocational education are examined. Vocational education professionals and apprenticeship officials should cooperate in operating training programs. (CJ)

Results of a survey of 173 programs providing Experienced Based Career Exploration (EBCE), a program concept that integrates academic learning and career exploration for handicapped individuals, are presented. (PHR)

A study sought to determine the occupational experience requirements and/or regulations of the states needed for teacher certification in agricultural education. Findings revealed that 10 states do not require occupational experience, four recommend occupational experience, and 24 require occupational experience. (LRA)

If students are to become successfully established in their chosen agricultural occupations, the supervised occupational experience program should be the center of activity and should receive most of the attention. (LRA)

Presents 10 comprehensive objectives related to instituting shared decision-making and individualized education in secondary schools. Illustrates applications of each objective with features from schools. (Author/JM)

The study investigated the relation between prevocational preference, as measured by the client's selection of a task object, and the work that followed that choice, using as Ss two severely retarded adults (ages 19 and 20). (Author/PHR)

The Policies Commission for Business and Economic Education believes that (1) for America to continue its standard of living, its citizenry must understand, appreciate, and participate in the free enterprise system and (2) teacher education programs should include related business work experience for credit at the undergraduate and graduate…

Describes procedures taken by apparel design students, working in an industrial setting, in designing functional clothing for coal miners as part of the Armco Steel Corporation's Student Design Program. (TA)

Of a sample from the National Educational Longitudinal Study who were high school seniors in 1992, nondisadvantaged and vocational track participants were more likely to be employed in 1996 than disadvantaged and nonvocational students. Vocational track participants were more likely to be employed over 20 hours per week. (SK)

Comparison of small and medium-sized enterprises' skill requirements in the European Union and Eastern/Central Europe shows considerable similarities and identifies skill needs universities need to address. New courses and modules are being developed by the University of Surrey in conjunction with Eastern/Central European partners. (Contains 14…

A degree program in which students spend years two and three in company placements featured shared mentoring by academic and company staff. Survey responses from 42 students, 17 work-based mentors, and 7 academic mentors verified the role of psychosocial support in learning and transferable skill development. Support was especially important for…

A survey of 1,451 Australian secondary students indicated that 18% participated in structured work placements, 54% in other paid work experience. Despite claims of the superiority of structured placements, other types of work experience also enhanced career awareness, improved self-esteem, and contributed to school-to-work transition. (Contains 28…