Research over the past few decades points to ways precalculus and calculus courses can be strengthened to improve student learning in these courses. This research has informed the development of the Algebra and Precalculus Concept Readiness (APCR) and the Calculus Concept Readiness (CCR) assessments. In this article, the authors present three…

A review of the literature reveals that obstacles to the successful transfer of basic skills, knowledge, and thinking skills during classroom instructional time differ depending on which of three components of expertise is entailed: conceptual understanding, domain-specific basic skills, or domain-specific strategies. This article, accordingly,…

The author describes the Employment Training program developed by the Work Based Learning Project. This program is designed to help trainers break down tasks into needed skills and to evaluate competence in various skills. (CH)

The Champaign County (Ohio) Board of Education asked four companies to participate in a workplace literacy project: Hall Company, Grimes Aerospace, LewiSystems, and Comdyne. Companies supplied training facilities and paid release time for employee participants. Seventeen classes were completed; 13 were attended by recruited participants, 4 by…

Work Keys (occupational tests developed by American College Testing) could support an employer's human resource function in a number of ways: (1) communicating to educators the skill requirements for an employer's particular jobs on a national basis; (2) providing students with a realistic preview of skills needed for jobs and an assessment of…

A model workplace literacy program is described that was designed to upgrade the basic skills of adult workers and developed by El Paso Community College in partnership with J&J Register Company, a Texas division of Philips Industries with approximately 300 workers. Pre-assessment results indicated that about 95 percent of the workers had…

The purpose of this study was to identify the reading-related teaching competencies that will be of potential use to vocational teachers if they are to develop the reading skills necessary for classroom instruction and job success. Questionnaires were sent to 591 teachers in all areas of vocational education. Questionnaire items were rated…

The ABC's of Construction project was a demonstration project designed to integrate basic skills training with an industry-developed vocational-craft training program. The program was located at the central training facility of the Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), an organization made up of nearly 300 member companies…

A pilot project demonstrated that cooperative training programs are effective and cost efficient for small businesses. Common entry-level reading and thinking tasks were identified in a variety of occupational areas. Five growing occupational areas were identified: industrial/machine operator; health care; food preparation; hotel/hospitality; and…

In 1989, Valmont Industries, a global manufacturer of steel lighting poles, center pivot irrigation systems, and other technologies and Metropolitan Community College began to work closely to address the basic skills training needs of Valmont workers. This partnership provided a unique educational opportunity for both Valmont employees and the…

The Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE) at the Ohio State University worked in partnership with the Ohio State Building and Construction Trades Council (OSB&CT) to develop and deliver customized workplace literacy services for local union members in six major Ohio cities (Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton, and…

The Workplace Training Project began as a partnership between Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon, and four area businesses. Their primary objective was to develop worksite-specific, learner-centered, competency-based workplace curricula in topics such as the following: basic math, fractions and measurement in the workplace, survival math for…