A stratified sample of 554 mature students at University College Dublin (UCD) in Ireland was studied. The sample included 200 unsuccessful applicants, 98 full-time mature students, 95 mature graduates, 100 modular bachelor of arts students, and 61 students who withdrew from UCD. A 50% response rate was achieved. The typical mature student was…

This document contains four symposium papers on work force development. "Effects of Two Different Learning Paths on School-to-Work Transition" (Esther Van Der Schoot) discusses a Dutch study documenting that the following items make a difference in the school-to-work transition: learning path, curriculum characteristics, individual…

This document, which is intended for staff of state occupational information coordinating committees (SOICCs) and career information delivery systems (CIDS), examines the pros and cons of career information hotlines and their use in selected states. "Foreword--Career Information on Call" (Juliette N. Lester) provides a brief overview of…

A study at Germany's FernUniversitat sent a questionnaire to 300 enrolled distance education students (mostly adult, mostly part-time) who labeled themselves as severely disabled or chronically ill (about 2 percent of students), asking them about the types of their disabilities and their attitudes toward computer-assisted learning and online…

A research project chronicling the nature and extent of the structured staff development undertaken by teachers and trainers employed at public and private providers of vocational education and training (VET) in Australia was one component of a larger study that examined the changing role of staff development for VET teachers and trainers. Data…

This issue focuses on continuing vocational education (CVE) in Germany. Articles are: "Lifelong Learning in the Knowledge Society;""The Foundations of CVE in Germany"; "Who Takes Part in Continuing Education?"; "Hail Maria! A Helping Hand for Female Academics Seeking Promotion"; "Sponsors and Forms of…

This Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development report documents the growing demand for learning around the world. A quantitative description of the functioning of education systems allows for international comparisons and the identification of the strengths and weaknesses of various approaches to providing quality education. Chapter 1,…

This 5-volume directory describes more than 1,200 discretionary grants and contracts supported by the Research to Practice Division of the Office of Special Education Programs. The projects are grouped into sections representing the seven program areas of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments (1997), Part D. This volume, the…

This document describes the experiences of 13 unemployed adults who participated in job training that was provided by the Croydon Continuing Education and Training Service in the London borough of Croydon with funding from the European Social Fund from 1995-1997. The document begins with an overview of the two projects: the New Addington NOW (New…

This bulletin provides, in four parts, information about the qualifications, selection and training of personnel in various service industries. Service Instruction of Department Stores describes the sales force of most department stores, composed chiefly of women, and the lack of team spirit; outlines the physical education program to monitor…

Argues that the Japanese model of early years education enables children to make comparatively fast progress once they begin elementary schooling. Asserts that the understanding of group behavior and needs of other children contributes to children's sharing of responsibility and positive learning attitudes. Maintains that preschool routines…

Contends that juku schools (private, for-profit schools) have become increasingly important in Japanese education during the past decade. Compares the juku schools with the formal Japanese educational system and discusses admission procedure, the curriculum, teachers, and financial costs. (CFR)

As part of the usual end of year meeting that has been a feature of the National Center for Engineering and Technology Education (NCETE) project, a conference intending to provide a forum for young voices in an outside of the Center was organized. The basic model for the gathering was borrowed from track and field. This was to be an intellectual…

This document contains a summary of the European Community (EC) Task Force for Human Resources, Education, Training and Youth's reactions to a 1991 memorandum on vocational training in the EC in the 1990s. The memorandum was issued by the Commission of the European Communities to initiate broad debate within and among EC member nations. A…

This report describes the growth in cognitive skills and achievement, and the continuities and discontinuities experienced in school and at home by the eighth-grade cohort of the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88) during the 2 years between the study's base year (1988) and the first-followup (1990) surveys. The report examines…