Tough Budget Calculus as Technical Schools Face Deep Cuts. By Motoko Rich, The New York Times, July 9, 2011. GREENSBORO, N.C. — Despite a competitive economy in which success increasingly depends on obtaining a college degree, one in four students in this country does not even finish high school in the usual four years. Matthew Kelly was in danger of becoming one of them. Tests showed he had a high intellect, but Mr. Kelly regularly skipped homework and was barely passing some of his classes in his early years of high school. He was living in a motel part of the time and both his parents were out of work. His mother, a former nurse, feared that Matthew had so little interest he would drop out without graduating. Then his guidance counselor suggested he take some courses at a nearby vocational academy for his junior year. For the first time, the sloe-eyed teenager excelled, earning A’s and B’s in subjects like auto repair, electronics and metals technology. “When it comes to practicality, I can do stuff really well,” said Mr. Kelly, now 19. Learn more…
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) 2011 report on adult education and training data collection needs. The report summarizes the focus group findings. The focus groups included the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE), U.S. Department of Education, the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor, federal statistical agencies, including the Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Office of the Undersecretary (OUS) and White House Initiatives, U.S. Department of Education, two groups of adult education researchers, adult education associations, state directors of adult education, career and technical education, and correctional education, and private foundations that support adult education and training.
