Assessing the Contribution of Vocational Education to Basic Education in Secondary Schools.

Overview & Synopsis

This report examines the contribution of secondary vocational education to learning outcomes. It is targeted to research scholars with professional interests related to vocational education, effective schooling, learning, and methodology. The first of six chapters is an "Introduction" (Lawrence Hotchkiss, Jeanne Desy). "The Effects of Vocational Education: Theory" (Desy) presents a comprehensive review of theoretical viewpoints that describe what the role of vocational education in learning is expected to be. "The Effects of Vocational Education: Empirical Findings" (Desy) assesses empirical findings on the effects of vocational education. "Interpretation and Standardization of Interaction Effects" (Hotchkiss) summarizes the literature on interpretation and estimation of statistical interaction models. "Interaction in Dynamic Models" (Hotchkiss) analyzes the impacts of dynamic cycling of cause and effect on interaction specifications. "The Vocational Classroom and Student Learning Styles" (Hotchkiss, Desy) summarizes and integrates the earlier chapters. Student characteristics are considered in examining the question, Which students especially benefit from the vocational education experience? Ten pages of references are provided. (YLB)