Researchers in vocational education (VE) often are not viewed as having made substantial contributions to VE practice. The VE literature and the poor attendance at American Vocational Education Research Association sessions by vocational educators are evidence of the gaps that have developed between VE research and practice, basic and applied…

The study of the effect of a new bookmobile on circulation and public use should give public libraries some data on which to base a decision about purchasing a new bookmobile or adding bookmobile services. Bookmobile circulation data and patron data was collected during June, July, and August of 1994 from the Holmes County (Ohio) District Public…

To understand why the general situation of young Hispanic Americans is critical it is necessary to consider some demographic characteristics of the Hispanic population and examine the need for reform in their educational experiences. The impact of some current initiatives in the Mid-Atlantic region are discussed, and some alternative reforms are…

A study was conducted in 1994 to identify, categorize, and prioritize research needs for improving teacher education related to the vocational education initiative of Tech Prep over the next 10 years. First, questionnaires were sent to experts in the field of Tech Prep, seeking a sample of needs and priorities. Responses were received from 33…

This guide is designed to increase a school's productivity by presenting some simple yet powerful techniques for looking at the school and making decisions to address the most immediate problems. Tracking success is tracking progress and using evaluation as a tool for implementing changes from school-based management to complete restructuring.…

The Adult Learning Source Homeless Program of the Colorado Department of Education conducted an educational needs assessment of single homeless men in the Denver metropolitan area. A questionnaire was developed with the input of social services workers and administered to 74 homeless men in the summer of 1993. Forty-one percent were White, 24…

A priority listing of reading materials for students preparing for careers as secondary vocational education teachers was developed by a panel of experts. The Delphi technique was used to collect data from vocational teacher educators in Nebraska higher education institutions. Thirty participants were selected for their experience in teacher…

Additional training needs desired by the electrical skilled personnel of the metal casting industry were the focus of a study. A questionnaire was distributed to electricians and electrical engineers employed in 39 foundries in over 20 states. Of the 150 surveys, 63 responded for a 42 percent return. The questionnaire was divided into three…

This working outline provides a detailed plan and background information for conference participants, who were assigned to assist the government and an institution in one of four developing countries in planning for the establishment and/or strengthening of a system's information capabilities over a 10-year period. These projects were: (1) the…

Written by some of the foremost experts on rural America, this book focuses on policy-relevant research on the problems of rural areas. In each chapter, rural policy needs are identified by examining the flow of events and rural sociology of the 1980s. Chapters are: (1) "Critical Times for Rural America: The Challenge for Rural Policy in the…

This report presents a plan for nursing education in the State of Washington that would help in alleviating the shortage of nurses in the state. The plan addresses the current status of nursing education and critical issues pertaining to the following: (1) the geographic availability of nursing education and training programs; (2) curriculum…

Intended as a practical resource for early childhood center directors engaged in improving the overall quality of their programs, this guide details a comprehensive method for analyzing the different components of a program to increase the program's effectiveness, assists in diagnosing common organizational problems, and aids in selecting…

Academic standards describe the knowledge and skills that students should acquire while in traditional academic disciplines. Workplace skill standards define the knowledge and skills required to work successfully in a particular field or occupation. Standards are being generated from reform efforts to promote standards-based education and efforts…

Rural community development is undergoing changing visions, activities, and methodologies. Factors impacting this change include decentralization, budget reduction in the public sector, and globalization and downsizing in the private sector. Community "building" (community-generated change and emphasis on capacities rather than…

The Refugee Women's Alliance, a nonprofit organization helping refugee and immigrant women achieve self-sufficiency in the United States, has developed a class integrating English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction and discussion of family issues, child-rearing, and related problems in a new cultural context. The project focuses on developing…