This paper examines labor market conditions and public employment policies in the United States during what some are calling the Great Recession. We document the dramatic labor market changes that rapidly unfolded when the rate of gross domestic product growth turned negative, from the end of 2007 through early 2009. The paper reviews the…

This article, based on a research project covering rural employment and youth programs, examines success and failure of various federal public job programs, concluding that the programs generally have not provided rural workers with needed employable skills. (MF)

A review of 40 federally funded personnel preparation projects for infant specialists focused on: demographic information; project scope; project rationale; training content, including competencies, practicum, and coursework; staff; budget; and project evaluation. Areas needing further examination by the early intervention field include training…

The Corporate Career Demonstration Project is a Federally funded program designed to provide economically disadvantaged young adults with specialized training, counseling and educational experiences. The project's major goal is to prepare these youth for entry level corporate career positions they would otherwise be unable to obtain. Applicants…

A review was conducted to assess early initiatives by Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) prime sponsors in knowledge development under the Youth Employment and Demonstration Projects Act of 1977. The review was based on two waves of site visits to a total of 19 prime sponsors, in May-June, 1979, and in November-January, 1979-80. From…

This monograph is one of 12 that address various topics in the area of CETA/education linkages. They were designed to provide those individuals interested in the development and implementation of CETA/education linkages with information that will serve to enhance the quality of existing programs and facilitate the efficient and effective…

An evaluation of the Multiple Wage Earner (MWE) discretionary grant program and Enhanced Skills Training (EST) program developed by the Department of Health and Human Services is reported. The EST program was intended to reach hard-to-employ refugees through improvement of the quality of jobs available to refugees experiencing difficulties…

This evaluation of a summer remedial education program found that a substantial number of clients demonstrated criterion-assessed growth. The 1989 Summer Academic Skills Achievement Program was funded by the Private Industry Council (PIC) of Franklin County (Ohio) through the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) to provide JTPA clients from…

This publication outlines the issues in the areas of education and employment that the General Accounting Office plans to investigate and the focus of the planned work for Fiscal Years 1997-99. The principal issues to be investigated are the following: (1) using federal resources to support and encourage state and local efforts to provide…

Achieving good quality in Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) training is hampered by the lack of a common definition of quality. Five ideas have been consistent in definitions: targeting programs; long-term, in-depth training; basic education; work skills training; and supportive services and guidance. A definition must include suggestions on how…

This guide was developed to help Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) prime sponsors to meet their responsibility for assessing the effectiveness of their efforts by examining the extent to which CETA participation has enhanced the longer-term income and employability status of former enrollees. As part 1 of a series, this document…

A planning model to improve performance in generating positive terminations of Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) participants is described. Sponsors can improve performance by selecting participants with particular characteristics and altering types of services. This approach is useful for any social services which result in…

In response to Congressional direction, an assessment was undertaken of programs developed by the Department of Defense (DoD) that can be made available to civilian organizations to provide immediate support and assistance to upgrade skills for better civilian employment opportunities. The assessment focuses on interactive courseware programs and…

This guidebook for vocational planners and evaluators describes the many possibilities in evaluating short-term programs. It is intended for use by educators in postsecondary institutions developing and implementing short-term programs, those providing service under the Job Training Partnership Act, and employers who provide in-house skill…

This report responds to an Office of Management and Budget request for an evaluation of Federal manpower and recreation programs for youth. The legislative and administrative statements of program goals have been studied. Staff members of the administering agencies have been conferred with frequently. Reports from those agencies' information…