Gender planning and vocational education and technical training (VETT) in Palestine were examined through the following: review of available literature and policy-oriented reports, discussions with educators in the field, and roundtable discussion in which representatives of the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Ministry of Labor and experts…

The vocational education and training (VET) system of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was studied by two consultants who visited the country and held discussions with senior officials from selected government ministries, universities, trade unions, and vocational schools. The study focused on the following: Macedonia's socioeconomic and…

This book contains nine papers in which data from the Adult Education Participation Survey (a part of the International Adult Literacy Survey) are used to identify and compare trends in organized learning in seven countries. The following papers are included: "Introduction: Who Participates in Organized Adult Learning?" (Paul Belanger,…

This document is intended to help British further education (FE) practitioners, managers, and governors develop a strategic approach to integrating information and learning technology (ILT) within flexible and open learning environments based on an understanding of learning styles. The following topics are discussed in the document's three…

The strategies used by practicing adult basic education (ABE) teachers to retain students with poor self-esteem were examined through an Internet survey that was sent to 115 ABE instructors at community colleges in Washington. The survey, which contained questions about the prevalence of poor self-esteem among ABE dropouts, specific behaviors…

Instructional design is the art and science of crafting effective learning environments. The main challenges in instructional design are about content or process. Content should be considered first. A key challenge is ensuring that authors write in a way that is engaging and actively involves learners. Technology is another important challenge,…

This digest reviews educational policies and practices that have been proven effective in closing the achievement gap, offering a list of resources with detailed information about them. The digest focuses on state and district roles (e.g., developing and implementing educational goals, rigorous standards, and accountability standards and providing…

This publication is a guide for districts and schools moving toward a standards-based educational system. The information is based on a model developed in California. Chapter 1 explores the concepts and research underlying standards-based education. Chapter 2 guides the reader through standards, tests, and accountability measures. Developing a…

This book provides information about general approaches to learning and teaching, offering descriptions of methods and procedures and focusing on classroom and behavior management, consultation, and working with parents and professionals. The 12 chapters include: (1) "The Teaching-Learning Process" (e.g., characteristics of students with…

High school noncompletion rates remain persistently high. Youth Tuitionships are a mechanism for supporting learners who are not suited financially, emotionally, or pedagogically for the traditional high school learning environment of grades 11 and 12. They provide a mechanism whereby various forms of federal, state, and local aid can be…

A teacher who teaches General Educational Development preparation to at-risk teenagers in a nonprofit alternative education program called FutureWorks conducted a study to identify those elements of FutureWorks that keep students coming to the program. The study included the following data collection activities: a consensus-building activity to…

This document contains three papers from a symposium on action learning that was conducted as part of a conference on human resource development (HRD). "Searching for Meaning in Complex Action Learning Data: What Environments, Acts, and Words Reveal" (Verna J. Willis) analyzes complex action learning documents produced as course…

When the American Vocational Association changed its name to the Association for Career and Technical Education, it underscored the need for today's vocational educators to focus on both career education and technical education. The name change reflects the fact that today's work environment, labor market, and employment opportunities are very…

The nature and effects of current common understandings of the relationship between work and literacy were examined along with the typical design and objectives of workplace literacy programs for members of Australia's work force. Special attention was paid to the following topics: changing demands of work and literacy at work; discourses of…

The financing of vocational education and training (VET) in Finland was examined. The analysis included consideration of the following: the legal, political, economic, and administrative background to financing of the VET system; European Union, state, regional, municipal, and social partner funding of the various types of initial and continuing…