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PART TWO: DISSEMINATION AND TRAINING

Dissemination Program
Professional Outreach Program
Office of Student Services
Publication Minigrants
Getting to Work Training
New American High School Initiative

As NCRVE enters Year Five of its current grant period, its dissemination and training program has three major goals:

Better usability of products and services by NCRVE's different audiences
Improved accessibility, especially by practitioners and policymakers
Increased visibility for NCRVE as a whole and products and services in particular.

To help realize these objectives, the dissemination and training agenda for 1996 and 1997 will consist of several major initiatives involving marketing and disseminating the Center's products; and professional outreach and technical assistance.

Dissemination Program

Program Director:	Peter F. Seidman, University of California at Berkeley (Year 5 of 5)
Keywords:	information dissemination; publications; referral/information brokering; resource databases; social marketing/public information; electronic communications

The Dissemination Program is an integral part of NCRVE's infrastructure, offering a consistent, reliable method of translating and brokering R&D-based knowledge, practitioner-based knowledge, and policy-based knowledge in ways useful to our constituencies and usable by them, facilitating the movement of that knowledge to these persons. In doing so, the Dissemination Program strikes a balance among user-driven responsiveness, targeted dissemination, and social networking, organizing itself around three basic functions: (1) knowledge distribution, (2) knowledge acquisition, and (3) knowledge collaboration. Each of these components uses a varying blend of several approaches, including database development and use, information brokering, publications, marketing/promotion, direct interpersonal linkages, and electronic communications.

Dissemination Program Databases (DPDs)

The DPDs provide major technical support for all three of the Dissemination Program's collaborative change components. These databases are local, online, and designed and operated by the University of California at Berkeley. They comprise three major databases: (1) Products, (2) Addresses, and (3) Brokering.

The Products database is used to track each product through the multiple-step review and publication process, and is a major repository of information about the history of NCRVE products.
The Address database contains approximately 18,000 address records used for general NCRVE business and for the NCRVE newsletter mailing list. All records in the database are coded to allow the generation of customized mailing lists.
The Brokering database contains records of information brokering activities of all Dissemination Program staffers; all substantive information requests received by phone, in person, or via electronic mail are logged in the database.

Knowledge Distribution

The Dissemination Program engages in the following activities in order to effectively distribute knowledge to its user communities:

Product Review/Revision/Production/Distribution
Derived Materials
Product and NCRVE Promotion/Marketing and Public Awareness

Product Review/Revision/Production/Distribution

The Dissemination Program operates NCRVE's product quality assurance/control system. This process is NCRVE's review/revision/production/distribution process, resulting in the distribution of quality materials.

The Materials Distribution Service (MDS), which produces, markets, and distributes all primary and most derived documents, will be continued.

Electronic versions of NCRVE publications are maintained on the NCRVE WWW site. All products published since August 1995 that have passed through the regular NCRVE publication channels will be maintained online. In addition, all smaller publications of the Dissemination Program (e.g., the CenterWork newsletter, CenterFocus digests) will also be made available online. The Dissemination Program will also continue to offer selected NCRVE publications and other information via alternative electronic means, such as gopher servers, electronic mailing list distribution, and file transfer protocol (ftp) archives. This is consistent with the Dissemination Program's commitment to pursuing multiple, simultaneous strategies of access so that the largest number of users, regardless of their environment's technological status, are able to access NCRVE materials.

Derived Materials

Derived materials result from one of two processes: (1) op/ed articles, NCRVE-guest-editorship of a journal issue, and topical briefs; or (2) an intentionally opportunistic process which captures materials which develop naturally from a project's activities. Papers presented at conferences and proceedings from NCRVE-sponsored meetings are two examples.

Formal Translation Process

This form of derived materials results from a formal, rational, and systematic translation process which develops spin-offs from project outcomes into forms useful to and usable by NCRVE's user communities. Among the planned materials, the formal translation process includes the following:

The Reprint Series
CenterWork: NCRVE's newsletter
CenterFocus: NCRVE's series of knowledge synthesis papers

Opportunistic Translation Process--The Working Papers Series

In addition to its formal translation process, the Dissemination Program maintains a process through which it captures, opportunistically, fugitive generated materials such as papers presented by NCRVE staff or presentations made at NCRVE-sponsored meetings.

Promotion/Marketing and Public Awareness

The Dissemination Program has the task of marketing both the NCRVE's publications and the NCRVE (including assisting other NCRVE programs in targeting their marketing and public information efforts for their services/products). The Dissemination Program uses both printed materials and other marketing tools such as conferences, an 800 telephone line, and electronic channels, providing the general public with front-line, easy access to NCRVE expertise.

Public Information Program

Dissemination maintains an aggressive public information initiative. Printed materials include institutional advertisements, press releases, pitch letters, periodicals, brochures, information packets, various publications promoting our documents, and the complimentary distribution of documents to targeted audiences. In addition, the Dissemination Program has a booth at approximately twelve national conferences each year. Last, the Dissemination Program subscribes to ProfNet, an e-mail distribution list of public information officers (PIOs) that provides journalists and authors convenient mediated access to expert sources, chiefly at institutions of higher education. This service not only provides the requesters with needed information; additionally, with each contact, the NCRVE is marketing itself as a viable resource to the media.

Program-Generated Materials

The Dissemination Program provides a publicity venue for the entire NCRVE through publication of a brochure, which describes the NCRVE, a yearly Agenda, and an annual NCRVE Personnel Directory, which respectively describe NCRVE's mission and areas of work, and NCRVE's personnel and areas of expertise. The Dissemination Program also publishes the following periodicals: CenterWork, NCRVE's newsletter, and CenterFocus, the Center's knowledge synthesis series. The Products Catalog, mini-catalogs, and New Publications flyers promote NCRVE publications across all programs.

Knowledge Acquisition

Knowledge acquisition involves assisting NCRVE's clients to access information. NCRVE will use the following major technologies to implement knowledge acquisition:

information brokering
electronic communications
national vocational education databases

Information Brokering

The overall mission of information brokering will be to operate as an intermediary for a variety of information services, products, and human resources to educators, researchers, policymakers, and business/industry/labor.

To carry out brokering's mission of providing a variety of information services and products, the Dissemination Program will

search NCRVE-maintained databases.
seek resources, data, and information over electronic networks (e.g., several Internet discussion lists, gopher servers, WWW servers).
participate in relevant partnerships with relevant information clearinghouses.
maintain a referral network among all NCRVE sites.
produce "Net Gain" (a column which discusses electronic resources of interest to the AVA readership) for each issue of AVA's journal of record, Techniques.
maintain an 800 number for information brokering.
manage electronic communications resources through the AskNCRVE e-mail address, VOCNET, and DISSMN8, as well as through membership in major relevant electronic discussion groups.

Electronic Communications

Electronic communications will be used to receive information requests, to respond to these requests, to provide information directly to clients, and to seek information for clients in need of such information for decision-making. NCRVE's electronic communications program falls into two broad categories: (1) information servers and (2) electronic mail.

Information Servers

World Wide Web. The cornerstone of NCRVE's electronic services is its World Wide Web server, which was launched in April 1995 and has grown steadily in both scope and usage. The Web server is one-stop electronic shopping for information by and about NCRVE.

Gopher and FTP. NCRVE plans to continue providing materials on these servers to accommodate those who may not yet have WWW capability.

Electronic Mail

The VOCNET e-mail discussion list continues to be a major feature of NCRVE's electronic offerings.

The DISSMN8 e-mail discussion list has been in existence since August 1995. Its focus is educational dissemination systems. DISSMN8 is the first of what we hope is a series of special-interest e-mail groups that can be formed on an ad hoc basis. Another list just begun is NAWI, for members of the National Association for Workforce Improvement.

Finally, e-mail is a major tool in the information brokering activities of the Dissemination Program.

Knowledge Collaboration

Knowledge collaboration promotes the multiway flow of NCRVE-produced knowledge. NCRVE will use the following key implementing approaches the Center will use in encouraging this flow:

electronic communications
linkages with other key knowledge transfer networks

Electronic Communications

NCRVE promotes and facilitates the exchange of information among itself and its user communities by electronic means. NCRVE participates in e-mail discussion lists and in existing practitioner networks in order to maintain contact with those user groups; the bulk of NCRVE's electronic knowledge distribution, acquisition, and collaboration efforts are channeled through the World Wide Web and VOCNET.

Electronic Mail

The Dissemination Program staff also participates in relevant e-mail discussion groups which deal with education and training issues. Through such memberships, NCRVE assists user communities to access needed information and other resources, but also monitors discussions, participating as appropriate.

Linkages with Other Key Knowledge Transfer Networks

NCRVE collaborates with other key knowledge transfer networks in order to more effectively integrate knowledge producers, transfer agents, and users into a shared effort at developing and using knowledge generated through formal dissemination activities as well as practice.

The Dissemination Program maintains linkages with the following organizations:

the National Association for Workforce Improvement
the OERI Regional Laboratories
the ERIC Clearinghouses on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education; Junior Colleges; Rural and Small Schools; and Urban Education
the Education Writers Association

Deliverables

Written Products

The Dissemination Program will produce and distribute the following public-domain materials:

CenterWork, a quarterly newsletter
CenterFocus, a series of up to four synthesis papers on topics of concern to the NCRVE
Institutional advertisements in Education Week
Press releases and pitch letters as necessary
The 1997 Agenda for the National Center for Research in Vocational Education, which abstracts all 1997 projects/programs
The NCRVE Personnel Directory, which lists the contact information for and expertise of NCRVE's administrative, R&D, and D&T personnel
"Net Gain," a column on electronic resources of interest to AVA members, published in each issue of AVA's Techniques
The Reprint Series
The Working Paper Series
Primary contractual publications
New Publications Flyer, quarterly flyers targeted to appropriate customers
Product catalogs, an annotated list of all NCRVE products organized by major R&D themes as well as (to date) five topical catalogs (Tech Prep, special populations, curricular integration, assessment and accountability, school-to-work)

Public Information/Materials Display

MDS will have a public information/materials booth at approximately twelve conferences.

Professional Outreach Program

Program Director:	Phyllis Hudecki, University of California at Berkeley Curtis Finch, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Year 5 of 5)
Keywords:	professional development; resource databases; technical assistance: school to work issues

The 1997 Professional Outreach Program includes a variety of activities through which researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from both vocational and academic programs will have an opportunity to develop their professional capabilities. Activities include

continuing collaborative efforts between NCRVE and other national organizations through cosponsoring outreach activities as well as continuing efforts to collaborate between and among the eight NCRVE sites in providing outreach activities to showcase NCRVE's work throughout the nation.
maintaining a system for providing technical assistance to individuals and groups in implementing educational reform both through the School-to-Work Learning and Information Center as well as requests directly from the field.
organizing National Council for Occupational Education (NCOE) pre-sessions/ keynote sessions.
maintaining an updated electronic national calendar of events.
compiling a database of all professional outreach activities sponsored by the eight NCRVE sites.

Office of Student Services

Project Director:	Carolyn Maddy-Bernstein, University of Illinois (Year 5 of 5)
Keywords:	school to work; student services; special populations; guidance and counseling; information dissemination; publications; conferences; resource databases; exemplary programs

NCRVE's Office of Student Services (OSS) works to promote quality programs and services that assist all students at the secondary and postsecondary levels, including members of special populations, to successfully transition from school to work. The 1997 goals of the OSS are to accomplish the following:

Encourage systems change so that student services, which are based on the developmental career needs of all students, become an integral part of the educational process.
Promote exemplary/model program activities and the adoption of model practices.
Identify and/or design and implement effective methods of communication and dissemination.
Develop resources to assist educators to improve services to all students.

Activities

The following activities, listed by objective, are proposed:

1.
Encourage systems change so that student services, which are based on the developmental career needs of all students, become an integral part of the educational process.

1.1.
OSS staff will collect and disseminate information on effective student services practices through the OSS World Wide Web database; during conference presentations; through news releases; and through phone, fax, and on-site requests for information. Additional avenues of communication include distributing information through agencies with collaborative agreements with OSS.

1.2.
OSS staff will work with MPR staff to identify materials to complement the Getting to Work program developed and marketed by NCRVE in 1996. Materials will address career awareness needs of elementary and middle school students. Materials will be disseminated as a supplement to Getting to Work as well as a stand-alone resource.

1.3.
An advisory committee of practitioners and leaders in the field of career development will be convened to guide Activity 1.2.

1.4.
OSS staff will work with MPR staff to develop an OSS BRIEF on the materials developed in Activity 1.2.

1.5.
As a part of Activity 2.1, the staff will continue to identify and disseminate information about effective career guidance and counseling programs that are part of a larger student services program. The staff will write a journal article synthesizing information about exemplary programs.

1.6
OSS staff will develop a monograph addressing the need for early, holistic assessment to enhance the placement of students in learning environments and opportunities appropriate for them and to provide the support service to increase their chance for success.
2.
Promote exemplary/model program activities and the adoption of model practices.

2.1.
OSS staff, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education, the American Vocational Association, and the State Supervisors of Guidance and Counseling, will identify exemplary career guidance programs in 1997.

A one- to two-day national conference featuring these exemplary career guidance and counseling programs will be held for counselors, teachers, administrators, and other professionals.

2.2.
Information about exemplary programs (e.g., program descriptions and contact information) will be disseminated through (1) news releases, (2) a journal article, (3) materials distributed through OSS in response to national and international information requests, (4) announcements submitted to newsletters, (5) announcements submitted to electronic bulletin boards and listservers, and (6) conference presentations by staff and program representatives.
3.
Identify and/or design and implement effective methods of communication and dissemination.

3.1.
Currently the OSS information database contains over 5,000 entries. The staff will continue to build this database, which is also available on-line; through the World Wide Web; via mail, telephone, and fax; or in person.

3.2.
The staff will continue to respond to information requests related to student services and vocational education.
4.
Develop resources to assist educators to improve service to all students.

4.1.
Review all past activities conducted through OSS, including those of the former Office of Special Populations.

4.2.
Develop a series of two OSS BRIEFs based on the research and technical support activities conducted through OSS from 1988-1997. The resources will focus on practices related to serving students who are members of special populations, improving the practice of career guidance and counseling, and providing services to all students.

4.3.
The materials for the BRIEFs will be expanded and submitted for publication as an NCRVE monograph.
Deliverables

The OSS will produce the following deliverables:

Three topical papers (BRIEFs)

#1 BRIEF on past word

#2 BRIEF on past work

Getting to Work supplement BRIEF
Monograph on assessment
Getting to Work Supplement--Elementary
Getting to Work Supplement--Middle School
Journal article on exemplary career guidance programs

Publication Minigrants

Program Director:	David Stern, University of California at Berkeley (Year 1 of 1)
Keywords:	publications

The goal of the Publication Minigrants is to contribute toward NCRVE leaving a lasting legacy of officially archived work.

Individuals affiliated with NCRVE will be awarded small monetary grants to facilitate the development of work funded by NCRVE for publication in the form of books that reference and citation services and libraries archive for use in future research endeavors. These minigrants will free up enough time to permit the completion of a writing project that otherwise would take longer or perhaps never be finished.

Getting to Work Training

Program Director:	Gary Hoachlander, MPR Associates (Year 2 of 2)
Keywords:	school-based learning; school to work; curriculum/training material; professional development; technical assistance: curriculum/program improvement

In 1997, MPR Associates will continue to provide training for states and localities on how to best use Getting to Work: A Guide for Better Schools. While most of this activity will be done on a cost-recovery basis, this task will support one or two NCRVE-sponsored workshops in 1997.

New American High School Initiative

Project Director:	David Stern, University of California at Berkeley (Year 2 of 2)
Keywords:	exemplary programs; referral/information brokering; professional development; curriculum/training material; educational reform

The New American High School initiative, begun in 1995, promotes the preparation of students for college and careers. Such schools are places where students achieve high levels of both academic and technical skills within a caring community and through a learning-by-doing approach, often within a career-related context.

The New American High School initiative will continue in 1997, focusing on the following activities:

Write the text of a practitioner's guide for schools interested in using career-related themes as part of a whole-school reform strategy to help all students achieve high academic standards. The guide will be based on the actual experience of the 10 showcase schools as well as the 21 honorable mention schools involved in the New American High School Project. NCRVE will produce the text and deliver it to OVAE for formatting and printing as a U.S. Department of Education publication.
Coordinate responses to requests for information about the 10 high schools showcased at the New American High School Conference in May 1996, answering questions by telephone, distributing printed information, and hosting site visits.
In collaboration with OVAE and the 10 showcase schools, make presentations at conferences and to other schools and school districts about New American High Schools.
Make information and resources available to staff from the 21 high schools that received honorable mention at the May 1996 conference, as well as to any of the 10 showcase schools that request it, for the purpose of continuing to develop specific features of their programs. Included among other approaches will be joining the Urban Schools Network (see Project DII.3 description above) and Getting to Work training (see Getting to Work Training description above).

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1.	Encourage systems change so that student services, which are based on the developmental career needs of all students, become an integral part of the educational process.
	1.1.	OSS staff will collect and disseminate information on effective student services practices through the OSS World Wide Web database; during conference presentations; through news releases; and through phone, fax, and on-site requests for information. Additional avenues of communication include distributing information through agencies with collaborative agreements with OSS.
	1.2.	OSS staff will work with MPR staff to identify materials to complement the Getting to Work program developed and marketed by NCRVE in 1996. Materials will address career awareness needs of elementary and middle school students. Materials will be disseminated as a supplement to Getting to Work as well as a stand-alone resource.
	1.3.	An advisory committee of practitioners and leaders in the field of career development will be convened to guide Activity 1.2.
	1.4.	OSS staff will work with MPR staff to develop an OSS BRIEF on the materials developed in Activity 1.2.
	1.5.	As a part of Activity 2.1, the staff will continue to identify and disseminate information about effective career guidance and counseling programs that are part of a larger student services program. The staff will write a journal article synthesizing information about exemplary programs.
	1.6	OSS staff will develop a monograph addressing the need for early, holistic assessment to enhance the placement of students in learning environments and opportunities appropriate for them and to provide the support service to increase their chance for success.
2.	Promote exemplary/model program activities and the adoption of model practices.
	2.1.	OSS staff, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education, the American Vocational Association, and the State Supervisors of Guidance and Counseling, will identify exemplary career guidance programs in 1997.
		A one- to two-day national conference featuring these exemplary career guidance and counseling programs will be held for counselors, teachers, administrators, and other professionals.
	2.2.	Information about exemplary programs (e.g., program descriptions and contact information) will be disseminated through (1) news releases, (2) a journal article, (3) materials distributed through OSS in response to national and international information requests, (4) announcements submitted to newsletters, (5) announcements submitted to electronic bulletin boards and listservers, and (6) conference presentations by staff and program representatives.
3.	Identify and/or design and implement effective methods of communication and dissemination.
	3.1.	Currently the OSS information database contains over 5,000 entries. The staff will continue to build this database, which is also available on-line; through the World Wide Web; via mail, telephone, and fax; or in person.
	3.2.	The staff will continue to respond to information requests related to student services and vocational education.
4.	Develop resources to assist educators to improve service to all students.
	4.1.	Review all past activities conducted through OSS, including those of the former Office of Special Populations.
	4.2.	Develop a series of two OSS BRIEFs based on the research and technical support activities conducted through OSS from 1988-1997. The resources will focus on practices related to serving students who are members of special populations, improving the practice of career guidance and counseling, and providing services to all students.
	4.3.	The materials for the BRIEFs will be expanded and submitted for publication as an NCRVE monograph.