Discusses the current status, significance, and future of credentialing in the field of environmental health. Also discusses four phases of a Bureau of Health Professions (BHP) Credentialing Program and BHP-funded projects related to their development and implementation. Phases include role delineation, resources development, examination…

A recently begun longitudinal study of a trend toward credentialism or qualifications-orientation among adult students in six countries (India, Japan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and England) is described. The development of measures of student learning orientations for different cultures is discussed. (MSE)

Over the past few decades, the economic prospects for workers possessing relatively few skills have worsened as the demand for skills in the labor market has increased. Even in jobs that might be categorized as low-skilled, workers require a diverse set of skills to succeed. Many of these skills can only be obtained through schooling or job…

The purpose of these hearings was to explore the problems that unaccredited, substandard colleges and universities, often referred to as diploma mills, pose to the Federal Government and to private-sector employers. The schools examined during these hearings practice a sophisticated form of deception and they charge students accordingly. All of…

Twelve articles assessing the progress of the National Association of School Psychologists over the past 20 years are presented. Topics covered include historical and future trends, training, accreditation, public policy, child advocacy, certification and practice standards, evolution of children's services, and interactions with other…

In addressing dental licensing reform issues, the American Association of Dental Schools and deans of dental schools must provide both leadership and advocacy. Issues include limited geographic mobility of dentists resulting from state licensing differences, licensing of dentists through credentials, and development of a national dental licensing…

Discusses European attempts to standardize academic and vocational qualifications. Expresses concern that the internal market threatens the cultural sovereignty of states. Describes the consequences of teacher mobility for the German education system. Concludes that more openness is necessary for the European Community's educational policymaking…

Analyzes recent occupational data and suggests that postsecondary educational credentials have varied effects on early-labor-force outcomes. Some credentials have greater value in the labor force than does an associate's degree, and their effects often differ for young men and for young women. Argues that this important data has often been…

This article discusses factors related to eventual high school credentials among dropouts. Using the National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88/00), the current study found that approximately two-thirds of the sample of high school dropouts eventually attained some form of high school credentials within eight years of their class…

A review of United States-based two-year (82), four-year (38), and graduate (68) addictions professional preparation programs indicated that the discipline lacks consistency regarding name, whether preparation has a science or arts academic foundation, whether preparation has an academic or technical base, and what department or academic unit…

Education names and classifies individuals. This result seems unavoidable. For example, some students will graduate, and some will not. Those who graduate will be "graduates"; those who do not graduate will be labeled otherwise. The only way to avoid such labeling is to fail to make distinctions of any kind. Yet education is rife with…

On November 20, 2005, New Mexico state educational and policy leaders participated in the New Mexico Education Forum to discuss ways to improve student transition from high school to postsecondary education and careers. The forum was sponsored by the League for Innovation in the Community College and the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)…

Two facts have become clear since passage of the Workforce Investment Act in 1998. First, when low-skilled individuals increase their basic skills, these higher skills pay off in the labor market in the form of higher employment and earnings. Second, these earnings increases are typically modest and fall short of what people need to become…

These three newsletter issues provide organizational news from the program that awards the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential to caregivers. Each issue provides a CDA profile of an exceptional educator or caregiver. The March issue introduces the new director of the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition and describes…

Britain's National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are work qualifications that measure what an employee or potential employee can do as well as how much he or she knows and understands about a particular job. Used as written proof of usable workplace skills that can be put to profitable use by an employer, NVQs range from basic Level 1, for…