This monograph contains eight papers examining vocational teacher education theory and practice within the context of new teacher education reforms and practices. Various theoretical and practical aspects of preparing vocational teachers for tomorrow's workplace are discussed, including the following: challenges/opportunities affecting the field;…

This document contains vocational education program course standards (curriculum frameworks and student performance standards) for exploratory courses, practical arts courses, and job preparatory programs offered at the secondary and postsecondary level as part of the business technology education component of Florida's comprehensive vocational…

This compendium contains evaluation briefs on 49 youth programs that were assessed by the American Youth Policy Forum. The programs were selected because they demonstrate that careful application of the following principles can lead to powerful results for youth: adult support, structure, and expectations; creative forms of learning; combination…

In order to obtain firsthand information about different approaches and strategies for curriculum integration, case studies of curriculum integration models were conducted in seven sites across the United States. It was concluded that the presence or lack of certain contextual factors related to structure and operations had implications for the…

This document presents materials to assist individuals responsible for coordinating mentor programs at career academies and materials to assist mentors. Section 1, which is addressed to coordinators, contains guidelines pertaining to the following aspects of planning and implementing mentor programs: policies and procedures; budgeting and funding;…

In 1992, the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Education jointly developed the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) Career Academy model, which provides a framework for implementation of an innovative vocational education program designed to keep dropout-prone students in school. The program, which combines military…

This document showcases 129 exemplary workforce development-related programs at elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, adult centers, school districts, vocational-technical centers, and two- and four-year colleges in 15 counties in Florida's western panhandle region. The 15 counties are: (1) Bay; (2) Calhoun; (3) Escambia; (4) Franklin;…

The infusion of career-based education throughout the curriculum as academic and technical curricula are integrated across all subject areas and grade levels is substantially changing the delivery and focus of K-12 education despite the lack of evidence substantiating the effectiveness of the following school-to-work (STW) reform concepts: whole…

Older teens living in families receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) face serious sociodemographic disadvantages. When combined with the characteristic risk-taking behaviors of adolescence, these disadvantages pose a threat to TANF teens' immediate and future physical, psychological, and emotional health and to their long-term…

The evolution of tech prep during the late 1990s was examined in a 4-year longitudinal study of 8 selected tech prep consortia since reauthorization of federal tech prep legislation in 1998. Cross-consortium results pertaining to curriculum reform, articulation, academic standards, and other essential elements of tech prep were examined along with…

This glossary defines 67 terms that comprise a "common language" for those involved with the school-to-work approach to learning. Where possible, definitions are pulled from the School-to-Work Opportunities Act. Generally, most definitions are derived from the meanings the terms have acquired through use. The more complex definitions are…

This guide focuses on two interrelated areas of developing vocational education curricula: designing a thematic curriculum and using the "all aspects of the industry" approach when creating thematic curricula. The following are among the topics discussed in the guide's eight sections: principles of the thematic curriculum and its…

This manual contains a series of 10 detailed guides for school practitioners who are beginning to create work-based learning programs at their schools. Work-Based Learning Overview defines the different elements of work-based learning and describes the roles of program participants. Program Planning Guide offers suggestions about how to plan…

The impact of career and technical education (CTE) reforms and comprehensive school reforms in high schools on education outcomes for at-risk youth was examined in a review of research on current reforms. The review identified a series of individual, family and home, school, and community factors that can place students at risk of failing to…

Recent educational approaches that have career and technical education (CTE) components have integrated work-based learning (WBL) with traditional academics. Among positive effects of the association between WBL and secondary students' educational outcomes are: (1) increased attendance, (2) decreased dropout rates, (3) increased number of academic…