In its second year of operation (1986-87), the Missouri Coalition for Adult Literacy (MCAL) greatly expanded its scope and services. Factors contributing to this expansion include the attention generated by Project Literacy U.S. (PLUS) and the use of the Job Training Partnership Act as a funding source. Program accomplishments include the…

A survey of manufacturers was conducted by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the National Center for Research in Vocational Education to elicit the views of NAM members about vocational education--the effectiveness of vocational education, the collaborative activities between manufacturers and vocational education, and…

This directed study, part of the applied research and development effort of the National Center for Research in Vocational Education, focused on the use of emerging telecommunications technology to facilitate communication among vocational education program improvement agencies. The study attempted to introduce and implement new developments in…

This summary report presents information regarding the 899 research, innovative and exemplary, and curriculum development projects conducted under the Education Amendments of 1976 during fiscal year 1981. Following an introduction, the methodology used to compile the data is described. The findings section presents the data in six tables: (1)…

Three studies are presented on the subject of factors considered important by teachers as they make decisions about curriculum. For the first study, information was gathered from a sample of 93 elementary and secondary school teachers. Respondents completed a questionnaire which contained a list of influences on curriculum decisions. Teachers…

This paper explores recent research, current practices, and implications for the future development of job placement programs in vocational education. An introduction views the relationship of job placement programs to vocational education and the importance of continual research in this area in light of three factors: responsibility for job…

At a time of high unemployment and increasingly constrained public resources, more and more attention is being focused on how to further the private sector's involvement in expanding opportunities for individuals, especially the hard-to-employ, to obtain long-term productive employment. Although at least 12 pieces of federal legislation that…

Research studies have found a number of teacher-related variables that are associated with student achievement. Professional development activities designed to improve the knowledge and skill of teachers can help students improve academically. In investigating the motivation for professional development, the findings of several researchers support…

The Greater Madison Task Force on Occupational Skills Education was formed to develop and implement a plan that would improve occupational skills education for area high school students. The task force members included 10 members from business and labor, 7 members from state agencies or higher education, and 14 members from the public school…

This document summarizes the preliminary findings of U.S. House of Representatives and research on the workings of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) of 1982 during its first nine months. To prepare this print, the committee conducted Congressional forums and site visits in Seattle, Washington; Cleveland, Ohio; Nashville, Tennessee; and…

This paper reviews and describes the characteristics of successful vocational education programs at Virginia State University. (The paper is aimed at developing institutions and historically black colleges, as well as at vocational educators and administrators who are especially concerned with program improvement.) Virginia State University is a…

Attacks the individual approach to changing perceptions and encourages an emphasis on environmental change within an institution. Suggests that colleges are not turning out people with social environment orientations and backgrounds. Discusses the role of a "change agent" and the importance of the role in training student personnel workers. (PC)

The use of program evaluators at the local school district level is a relatively new development. Successful program evaluation can be defined as the ability to collect and produce program data that influence decision-making and the ability to maintain the credibility of the evaluation unit. This paper examines one successful evaluation unit in a…

Nationally obtained public testimony, evaluations of previous studies, discussions of prior recommendations, examinations of federal reports, and review of federal investigations have identified serious problems that threaten to undermine the integrity of federal student financial assistance programs, as well as public confidence in their…

This status report is an attempt to provide a comprehensive picture of Head Start home-based programs which aimed at helping parents provide children with the same kinds of activities and support in their own homes that children would receive in any quality child development center. Data was collected through: (1) Children (1st) First, Inc.'s…