Describes the Kaleidoscope, a conference activity designed to make special needs personnel and other interested individuals aware of a variety of new techniques, materials, and programs for handicapped, disadvantaged, and limited English proficiency learners. Subjects include evaluating software for disabled learners, workshops, competency-based…

Examines how the automobile industry, through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and the National Automotive Technical Education Foundation, has accepted a set of standards developed by the Industry Planning Council of the American Vocational Association Trade and Industrial Division and made them a basis for certification of…

The author presents and discusses some basic characteristics of effective coalitions. These characteristics include clearly defined mission, emphasis of common ideology and goals, equal power among groups, effective leadership, overlapping interests and frequent member contacts, image of power, variable resources, and appropriate termination. (CT)

The authors describe the programs of study at Walter Biddle Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences in Philadelphia. Enrolling 700 students, the school trains youth for careers in agriculture-related occupations and possesses a very high placement rate for its graduates. (CH)

The author reports on a collaborative effort among three state agencies that is currently giving 3,000 California youth who are disabled a chance to prove themselves in private sector job placements. Discusses program administration, funding, computerized recordkeeping, entrance requirements, and plans for the future. (CT)

The author describes the programs of study at the High School for Health Professions at Texas Medical Center in Houston. The 750 students who attend may choose from approximately 200 medical or allied health careers, many of which require no postsecondary training. (CH)

Describes a range of programs created to help new teachers succeed. They are designed to meet the varying needs of preservice teacher program graduates, college graduates with required vocational skills who decide to become teachers, and noncollege graduates who bring their specialized skills directly to vocational education from business,…

Discusses the District of Columbia's new career programs in its high schools, each in fields with projected job growth and each with corporate sponsors who participated in the program's design and curriculum development. Examines program costs, program development, design, and effectiveness. (CT)

The author provides a guide to the ins and outs of JTPA (Job Training Partnership Act) for vocational educators who have not yet made the JTPA connection. Discusses the importance of private industry councils, presents a list of questions to ask when selecting providers, and various types of contract arrangements. (CT)

Reed lists characteristics of programs for adult learners with special needs: (1) finding out, (2) reaching out, (3) starting out, (4) helping out, (5) watching out, and (6) spelling out. Wircenski discusses strategies to use with disadvantaged adults. Schwingen and others cover strategies for use with adult immigrants. Leconte and Taymans discuss…