This report is third in a series of informational briefings developed as part of "The Guardians Initiative: Reclaiming the Public Trust," an effort to educate and engage trustees as advocates on key issues in higher education. The compact between American higher education and the broader society has always been multifaceted. Colleges and…

Purpose: This study aims to deal with the role of vocational training in developing social inclusion by analyzing the school-to-work transitional outcomes of early school leavers whose successful experience in vocational training was documented in previous works. Design/methodology/approach: The sample comprises 126 males who enrolled in and…

Dan Bloom of MDRC examines policies and programs designed to help high school dropouts improve their educational attainment and labor market outcomes. So called "second-chance" programs, he says, have long provided some combination of education, training, employment, counseling, and social services. But the research record on their effectiveness…

Presents conceptual framework for understanding problems encountered by dropouts in school-to-work transition; underlying assumption is that dropouts are likely to face strains in homes, jobs, and other community settings similar to those which led to their dropping out. Also discusses exemplary school and work programs for dropouts. (CMG)

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) To Be Continued: Congress Passes Continuing Resolution to Keep Government Running, Buys Time to Pass Appropriations…

California's population will increase more rapidly than the United States population as a whole, as immigration plays a larger role in population growth and California accepts over one-third of all immigrants to the U.S. The state's population will also change as it is becoming older and more ethnically diverse. As this report shows, these changes…

In 1982, the Boston Compact attempted to tackle student dropout employment problems. This paper reviews the process of this agreement made by local leaders, traces the creation of a communitywide plan to respond to Boston's school dropout problem, and summarizes Boston's Draft Dropout Prevention Reentry plan. (Author/LHW)

A study was conducted (1) to examine characteristics of programs in which students were enrolled, (2) to determine which activities were most effective in dealing with dropouts, and (3) to validate program components that have previously been associated with retentive capacity. Results are reported and discussed. (CT)

The Summer Youth Employment Program was designed to give at-risk youth educational opportunities and work experience during the summer. This paper gives an overview of the Program's operation in Pima County (Arizona). Test results are presented for 1,975 youth in the summer of 1996 and for 1,178 youths in 1997. Student progress was evaluated with…

In recent years, the federal government has designated 105 communities across the country, including many urban neighborhoods, as Empowerment Zones or Enterprise Communities (EZ/ECs). At the same time, many urban school districts have launched school-to-career initiatives to help keep at-risk youth in school and improve their academic achievement…

This report summarizes the findings of a national conference on mentoring. Mentoring involves a structured relationship between two people, with the first imparting support, insight, and experience to the second. The following varieties of mentoring are discussed: (1) mentoring from the business community; (2) career mentoring within specific…

A study examined the range of full-time courses for youths between the ages of 15 and 19 that are offered under Australia's Technical and Further Education (TAFE) system. Two reports resulted from the study. The first report reviewed the TAFE transition education program and formulated 20 recommendations concerning development of the Participation…

Vocational education has a significant role to play in dropout prevention because studies show a positive correlation between involvement in vocational education and school completion. Students involved in vocational education are more likely to be involved in school-sponsored activities that help them shape goals for themselves and the future.…

The Soviet general secondary school provides youth with a wide range of knowledge and educates them in the spirit of communist consciousness and high moral standards. Research to improve labor training is guided by six principal premises of methodology: (1) Marxist-Leninist theory on the all-round and harmonious development of personality, (2)…

The School to Employment Program (STEP) operated during 1992-93 as an employment-oriented program served economically disadvantaged, out-of-school youth between the ages of 16-21, with special emphasis on 18- and 19-year-olds. Program participants were provided an opportunity to engage in work experience or on-the-job training, to improve academic…