Introduction

Expiration of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act and of the Adult Education Act later this year makes it necessary to consider Federal priorities in work-related education and training. This statement, prepared by the National Center for Research in Vocational Education (NCRVE),* recommends nine principles for new Federal legislation. The views given here are based on NCRVE research and collaboration with schools, colleges, and other agencies since 1988.

We believe that legislation regarding career-related education and training should be derived from up-to-date knowledge about what is most effective for the participants in these programs, subject to budget constraints. In this statement, we therefore propose a consistent set of principles that can serve as a framework for new Federal legislation, rather than spell out legislative recommendations in detail.

These principles can be applied to a wide range of work-related education and training, including programs for out-of-school youth and adults as well as formal schooling. However, since NCRVE's mission emphasizes schools and colleges, our proposed principles for new Federal legislation refer particularly to programs in secondary and postsecondary education.

We believe that the Federal Government can assume a key role in developing and implementing career-related education and job training based on these principles. Such a role would involve providing financial incentives and technical assistance.

This report is intended to be useful to a wide audience, including education policymakers and practitioners, elected officials, and members of Federal and State organizations. The National Center's nine proposed principles for new Federal legislation are listed on the next page. Readers may turn to the rest of the report for a more detailed discussion of each principle. At the conclusion of this report is a list of References for those who seek further information about the topics discussed here.

*The National Center, authorized under the Carl D. Perkins Act, is composed of eight organizations. The University of California at Berkeley is the lead institution, and its partners are the University of Illinois, University of Minnesota, MPR Associates, RAND, Teachers College at Columbia University, the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. This statement has been drafted by the Board representing the eight institutions.

NCRVE Home | Site Search | Product Search