MDC's mission is to help organizations and communities close the gaps that separate people from opportunity. The organization has been working to create positive change in disadvantaged communities for 40 years--by conducting research and demonstrating effective programs at the community level. MDC focuses on three areas: education, economic and…

"Open Doors" and the "Social Learning Curriculum" are two models for facilitating the transition from school to work. Both models fit into the framework that Lawrence Cremin outlines in his book, "Public Education and the Education of the Public," when he urges us to think comprehensively, relationally, and publicly…

This report examines the provisions of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act and describes the steps that have been taken thus far to establish an Ohio system. It discusses the general features that must be included in Ohio's school-to-work system and the strategies around which Ohio's school-to-work plans are being structured. Recommendations are…

Vocational Education (VE) has long been recognized for its "hands-on" approach to education and ability to demonstrate a connection between school and employment. The consensus of the literature is that VE facilitates student skill development, retention in school, and employment. According to the research, reducing the dropout rate is the most…

A model high school accounting cluster program was planned, developed, implemented, and evaluated in the Beaverton, Oregon, school district. The curriculum was developed with the help of representatives from the accounting occupations in the Portland metropolitan area. Through management interviews, identification of on-the job requirements, and…

Ohio's use of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) 8 percent set-aside has been noted as exemplary. The first half of this report reviews the national literature on 8 percent JTPA programs, then discusses Ohio's State Education Coordination and Grants Advisory Council (SECGAC), unique among state administrative mechanisms. It notes that SECGAC…

A study focused on formal and informal linkages between industry and education that were supportive of structured work-based learning at three transition points: entry, dislocation, and upgrade. During 1990, site visits were made to 10 school-to-work, 1 dislocated worker, and 4 career advancement programs. Study methodology included informal…

This publication, one of a series designed to help policymakers and TANF [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families] agency personnel, offers a baseline for understanding the challenge of serving persons who are being forced off welfare roles but who are hard to place in employment. The following topics are covered: (1) policy issues (who should be…

This publication, one of a series designed to help policymakers and TANF [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families] agency personnel, offers an overview of programs providing publicly funded paid jobs in the public or nonprofit sector to TANF recipients, as well as of work experience programs in which recipients receive welfare payment in return…

In November 1988, the sixth annual Continuing Conference of the Southern Education Foundation brought together about 140 veteran educators, civil rights advocates, and experts on federal education policymaking in an effort to candidly reexamine the role of the Federal Government in education. Discussion focused on: (1) how to return the Federal…

This assessment guide, developed by the Model Accounting Project at Aloha High School in the Beaverton, Oregon, school district, contains criteria statements that reflect factors deemed essential for quality instruction and overall effectiveness of the accounting program. The guide can be used by an instructor as a self-assessment instrument or by…

Based on a recent task inventory of key occupations in the accounting cluster taken in the Portland, Oregon, area, this curriculum guide is intended to assist administrators and teachers in the design and implementation of high school accounting cluster programs. The guide is divided into four major sections: program organization and…

Twenty-three projects funded by the Cooperative Demonstration Program (High Technology) in Fiscal Year 1988 were evaluated. The evaluation focused on project logic and design, implementation, and costs and benefits. Thirteen of the 23 applications were found to present clear and coherent design for their projects. Success was predicted for eight…

The accounting cluster demonstration project conducted at Aloha High School in the Beaverton, Oregon, school district developed a model curriculum for high school accounting. The curriculum is based on interviews with professionals in the accounting field and emphasizes the use of computers. It is suitable for use with special needs students as…

This resource guide was developed in response to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1990. It is designed to help administrators, counselors, researchers, and others concerned with special needs education to locate resources to help develop or improve transition…