Career and technical administrators are faced with a variety of issues and challenges that include, but are not limited to, providing effective ways to help students increase their academic and technical achievement, addressing staff development needs, and integrating CTE with rigorous academic instruction. The emergence of the identified…

This paper presents future directions for vocational education teachers and administrators in an effort to assist them in updating and revising their instructional programs. The paper begins with a synopsis of the history of vocational education and proceeds to visions of the future. An attachment defines good teaching (as perceived by Marshall…

The future effectiveness of trade and industrial (T&I) education programs can be increased by reforms in teacher education, collaboration with national support agencies, and taking advantage of technological and instructional advances. Among the important teacher education reforms are the following: (1) teacher preparation should include liberal…

A study examined the type of computer software that is best suited to teach high technology skills to vocational students. During the study, 50 manufacturers of computer software and hardware were sent questionnaires designed to gather data concerning their recommendations in regard to: software to teach high technology skills to vocational…

This report describes planning, implementation, and evaluation procedures involved in conducting eight regional institutes to provide staff development activities for vocational teachers and counselors. The introduction summarizes project purposes and objectives and general background information on the 256 secondary and postsecondary teachers and…

Designed to identify pedagogical competencies that meet the needs of those teaching inner city disadvantaged youth, this study focused on the relationship between the competencies identified as very important by vocational administrators and those identifed as very important by teachers. In addition, the study identified possible instructional…

Characteristics of students in 15 Pennsylvania community colleges (n=704) and 16 two-year proprietary colleges (n=317) were compared. In both groups, technical students were overwhelmingly white; the community colleges' population was 69.5% male, 30.5% female; in proprietary schools, 43.2% male, 56.8% female. Females had higher grade point…

Interviews with 53 policymakers, administrators, teachers, and employers in Zimbabwe revealed the extent of vocational and technical education at the secondary and postsecondary levels; inequities in resources, funding, equipment, and teacher training; and career opportunities for which trained individuals are needed. (SK)

A review of the context of vocational education reform highlights historical efforts implemented through legislation requirements in 46 states within some vocational teacher education programs that are consistent with current reform recommendations. Current recommendations include the Holmes Group and the Carnegie Commission proposals for…

These workshop materials are designed to assist technologists in coping with handicapped students in their programs. They contain information on the characteristics of handicapped persons, and some of the psychological and legal considerations that form the background from which the students come; and they focus on developing insight that will…

Discusses the background and purpose of 1994's School-to-Work Opportunities Act (STWOA). Focuses on the implementation of STWOA's three components (i.e., school-based learning, work-based learning, and connecting activities), highlighting the role of tech prep in joining school- and work-based instruction. Argues that community colleges are…

A survey completed by 43 of 55 participants in a training institute assessed the treatment used in preparing vocational personnel working in transition services for disadvantaged students and concluded that the instructional treatment made a significant difference in the participants' performance on the postassessment. (JOW)

Examines the status of Tech Prep in the North Carolina Community College System and compares the attitudes of senior administrators and faculty toward Tech Prep programs. Discusses four research questions regarding college and faculty involvement in Tech Prep and finds that, in most cases, it has not yet made substantial changes within community…

This monograph contains seven papers from a workshop for pre- and in-service administrators and teachers serving special needs students. In "Identification Factors and Criteria for Determining Disadvantaged: Definition of Terms" Edgar I. Farmer, Sr., sets workshop parameters and defines terms. Royce Bland, in "Suggested Techniques…