In the first phase of this study an interdisciplinary curriculum unit was developed centered on the concept of sustainable development in tropical rainforests. The centerpiece of the interdisciplinary unit was the investigation of a simulated environmental problem which required students to develop and then decide on a solution, having weighed a…

An experiment using audiotaped student journals for course evaluation is described. Subjects were 200 native Cantonese-speaking technology students taking credit-bearing courses in English communication skills for building. One of the required tasks in the course was to indicate, in their oral journals, what they liked about an instructional…

The long-term results of a 32-hour interpersonal communication skills training program for unit staff in a large state psychiatric hospital were evaluated. The main goal was to improve staff effectiveness through systematic training in communication behaviors expressing empathy in staff-patient interactions. Staff outcome measures were turnover,…

This report contains a list of 24 contacts and 15 references concerned with workplace literacy programs in small businesses. Each listing includes addresses and telephone numbers, prices if applicable, and a brief description of the resource or materials. The materials listed are mostly reports of workplace literacy projects in small businesses…

The photographic narrative of O. Henry's classic short story, "The Gift of the Magi," is designed for use in teaching English as a Second Language. It is accompanied by an audiocassette recording (not included here). An introductory section offers teachers suggestions for classroom use of the materials. The story is told in a series of…

A survey of students of English as a Second Language at the University of South Florida found most ranked listening and/or speaking skills as most important to learn, and reading and writing skills much lower. They also perceived the inverse to be true of teachers. The challenge is to create a curriculum that provides for listening and speaking…

This report presents the findings of a Canadian study that in established a part-time instructional program for a small number of Punjabi-speaking women immigrants and traced their uses of literacy and English in classroom and home settings. Measures of literacy and language use were taken during the 6-month instructional period and 4 months…

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the U.S. Congress have improved the quality, effectiveness, and integrity of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). A basic skills improvement program funded by the DOL was implemented in two Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, worksites. Several implications for managing the changes within JTPA related…

This handbook, designed for British adult educators, contains examples of innovative approaches to the continuing education of adults with learning difficulties. It contains 10 sections: (1) using this handbook; (2) self-advocacy and citizen advocacy; (3) learning choices; (4) ways and means of learning; (5) learning for a purpose; (6)…

The Career Skills Enhancement Program (CSEP) was a National Workplace Literacy Program offered to Santa Clara County (California) Office of Education (COE) employees. A job skills study involved personal interviews, job shadowing, and examination of job descriptions and materials used by employees. Based on the study and initial needs assessment,…

The Ohio Veterans Entrepreneurial Training Project was a 2-year pilot training and education program, conducted by a consortium of seven two-year colleges in Ohio, to assist veterans who are interested in owning and operating their own small businesses. Veterans were recruited through more than 2,500 recruitment packets distributed through Ohio…

This research sought to determine the particular teacher interventions that six aggressive adolescents (ages 14.09-17.07 years) perceived as most effective in helping them to develop their academic and social skills in mainstreamed classrooms. Student interviews and classroom observations provided the data for analysis. Student characteristics and…

The Chapter 188 Dropout Prevention Grant Program funds school districts with high percentages of low-income students and school dropouts to enable them to implement dropout prevention initiatives in grades 7 through 12. The emphasis in funding is on long-term school change in school policy, curriculum, governance, scheduling, programming, support…

These curriculum guides for technology education programs were developed by the state of Mississippi to standardize vocational education course titles and core contents. The objectives contained in these documents are common to all programs in the state. The curriculum guides for Technology Education I, II, and II each contain the following units:…

Success Through Accepting Responsibility (STAR) is primarily a language program, although the values have a relationship to social studies topics. Through language development the words, concepts, and skills of personal responsibility may be taught. This principal's handbook outlines a school-wide systematic approach for building a positive school…