School Career Education Research Articles

Bendrojo ugdymo mokyklų ir profesinio mokymo įstaigų vaidmuo mokinių profesiniam apsisprendimui: situacija ir pagrindinės problemos

Edukologijos doktorantė VšĮ Kauno paslaugų verslo darbuotojų profesinio rengimo centrasKaraliaus Mindaugo pr. 11, LT-44287 Kaunas. Tel. (8 37)22 17 23El. paštas: www.kaupa.ltProfesorė socialinių mokslų daktarėVytauto Didžiojo universiteto Socialinių mokslų fakulteto Edukologijos katedra K. Donelaičio g. 52-401/402, LT-44244 Kaunas. Tel. (8 37) 327 827 http://edukologija.vdu.ltStraipsnyje pabrėžiama, kad reikia naujo požiūrio į profesinį apsisprendimą, kaip vieną iš esminių žmogaus ugdymo karjerai tikslų. Šio požiūrio esmė – dėmesio sutelkimas į objektyviuosius ir subjektyviuosius veiksnius, lemiančius žmogaus profesinį apsisprendimą. Šiomis konceptualiomis nuostatomis grindžiant profesinio apsisprendimo sampratą, svarbus uždavinys tenka žmogaus ugdymo institucijoms – sukurti tokią ugdymo karjerai sistemą, kuri sudarytų prielaidas jaunam žmogui pirmiausia pažinti save kaip asmenybę. Tačiau tyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad bendrojo ugdymo mokyklose, palyginti su profesinio mokymo įstaigomis, daugiau dėmesio skiriama profesinio apsisprendimo problematikai. Profesinio informavimo taškų vaidmuo mokyklose dar nėra reikšmingas, nes mažai dėmesio skiriama individualiam darbui su mokiniais, jų profesiniam kryptingumui nustatyti, tolesnei karjerai projektuoti. Mokyklose dirbančių psichologų, socialinių darbuotojų ir profesijos konsultantų veikla ugdymo karjerai procese yra nepakankama.

Quality criteria for group work

This paper reports on a practical rather than a scholarly exploration of how quality assurance in career learning for groups is approached across the different sectors of career guidance largely in the UK. In some sectors (career education in schools is an obvious example) group work is a main mode of delivery and we would expect all quality criteria to address it. In others, where the one-to-one interview is seen as the professional’s key contribution to client progression, we could expect that group work would be sufficiently different to require its own set of quality criteria. With these expectations I conducted a small exploration across the spectrum of career help that was available in early 2010.

Effectiveness of a Motion Picture Contents in Middle School Career Education

The purpose of this study is to find out the effectiveness of instructional method using by a motion picture at cognitive and affective learning domain, and students' preferences for instructional methods in middle school career education. The nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest research design was applied to an experimental group and to a control group. A pair of 75students from four classes participated in an experiment. The results show higher learning achievements both of cognitive and affective domains in experimental group than in control group. Higher students' preferences for instructional methods were found in experimental group than in control group. It is concluded that a motion picture could give a more concrete experience and a more pleasure to students than traditional lecture. Higher learning achievements in cognitive and affective learning domain of career education and higher preferences were came out in consequence of using a motion picture.

Partnership model for career education and guidance in schools and colleges: Rise, decline - and fall?

In this article, I outline the rise of the partnership between schools and an external careers service which has underpinned the delivery of careers education and guidance in schools in the UK. I then describe the recent decline of the model in England, under the Connexions Service. Finally, I outline the new arrangements for integratedyouth support services, with particular attention to the Children’s Plan, and the potential within these arrangements for the model to fall – or perhaps leave scope for future regeneration.

School and work: connections made by South African and Australian primary school children

This exploratory-descriptive research focuses on whether children can connect school-based experiences to future jobs that interest them. A cross-national sample of 497 South African and 365 Australian upper primary school children participated in the study. The data from one item of the Revised Career Awareness Survey were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Differences between nation and gender were examined. The results revealed that the majority of children were able to make curricular, extra-curricular, or general school connections to future jobs that interested them. Males made fewer curricular and general school connections and more connections to extracurricular activities than females. The implications of the findings for career education in primary schools and for future research are discussed.

Legal remedies for girls' under‐representation in nontraditional career and technical education

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to document the extent of girls' under‐representation in nontraditional high school career and technical education courses, examine the role of sex discrimination in these disparities, and identify legal remedies for addressing the problem.Design/methodology/approachThis article uses high school CTE enrollment data from 12 states to document female students' under‐representation in nontraditional courses and uses wage data to show the negative implications for girls' future earnings. Drawing on the experiences of female students, this study explains how sex discrimination contributes to their low rates of participation in nontraditional training. The study then discusses how laws and regulations at the federal and state levels may provide means to address such discrimination.FindingsFinds high levels of sex segregation in CTE course enrollment, with female students making up on average 15 percent of students in nontraditional courses and 87 percent in traditionally female fields. Substantial evidence of sex discrimination in CTE makes a strong case for its role in contributing to girls' low enrollment in nontraditional courses. Varied state laws can be utilized to address this underlying cause.Originality/valueWhile much research has looked at girls in math and science, less attention has been paid to their participation in nontraditional CTE. This paper offers quantitative evidence of girls' under‐representation in such courses and qualitative evidence of the role sex discrimination plays. Offers a unique solution by showing how state laws can be used to address such discrimination and increase girls' participation in nontraditional training.

Individualism and Collectivism: A Framework for Examining Career Programs through a Cultural Lens

Cultural diversity and the cultural context of adolescent career development are explored through the lens of the cultural syndromes of individualism and collectivism. The individualist cultural value orientation of some of the main theoretical perspectives that underpin career education and counselling practice in schools is highlighted. In particular; the self-concept and career maturity segments of Super's (1990) lifespan, lifespace theory, career interests, career decision making and the career counselling process are examined with reference to the cultural syndromes of individualism and collectivism. Also discussed is the potential inappropriateness of theoretical perspectives that reflect an individualist cultural value orientation for the career development of all students. Finally, Leong and Serafica's (2001) cultural accommodation approach to enhancing the cultural relevance of existing career theories and models is outlined. Some examples of strategies are presented that might fill cultural gaps, which may exist in career education and counselling practices in schools.

Career Maturity of Australian and South African High School Students: Developmental and Contextual Explanations

The present study investigates the career maturity of 1090 high school students in Years 8 to 12 in Australia (n = 656) and South Africa (n = 434). Scores on the Australian version of the Career Development Inventory were analysed. While a developmental explanation for career maturity was supported, gender differences between countries and differences at school transition points were found. The relevance of school career education programs to prepare students for career decisions is discussed.

Liberalizing Career Education: An Aristotelian Approach

Liberal education is traditionally defined in opposition to vocational study. This article proposes an expanded approach to liberal education that encompasses contemporary career preparation programs by implementing an Aristotelian intellectual virtue framework. Although liberal study typically reflects its lineage to theoretical wisdom, or sophia, it virtually ignores the fundamental role played by productive wisdom, or techne, in Aristotelian thought. By applying the intellectual virtue framework to various career education programs, areas of required reform are identified. Two central questions are addressed by the article: (a) how can career education be integrated into secondary school curriculum without compromising student agency and democratic citizenship? and (b) how can secondary school career education prepare students more effectively for the challenges of contemporary working life? The final section offers a series of proposals in response to these two key questions.

The effects of high school career education on social-cognitive variables.

The effects of high school career education on social-cognitive variables.

The effects of high school career education on social–cognitive variables.

The authors investigated the influence of a 9-week career education class on career decision-making self-efficacy, vocational skills self-efficacy, perceived educational barriers, outcome expectations, educational plans, and career expectations among a sample of 166 high school sophomores. Using a nonrandomized, within-subjects crossover design, the authors collected pretest, posttest, and follow-up data with a health education class as the control condition. Post- and follow-up testing suggest that the class resulted in increased career decision-making self-efficacy, vocational skills self-efficacy, and short-term gains in outcome expectations but did not influence perceived educational barriers. Participants enrolled in the career education class in the first quarter were more likely to change career plans than were those in the control condition. Implications for practice and future research are presented.

Career Choice and Adjustment Issues from a Gender Role Perspective

Career education in schools has helped to enhance the career choices of women by providing information about options and challenging gender stereotypical beliefs about the world of work. However, issues concerned with career adjustment have been neglected. It is increasingly being recognised, however, that the entry of women into new fields of work is not enough. The question is how to keep women, with their knowledge, skills and experience, in the workforce once they have entered it. This issue is the core focus of this case study.

Cross-Sectoral Approaches Combining Career and Vocational Education in Schools in Western Australia

“Programs for lower secondary students supporting their access to vocational education and training in the senior years: a cross-sectoral approach including school and industry profession development” is a project funded by the Career Education Association of Western Australia and the Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs. The project objectives, findings and recommendations from the preliminary research and other project developments are described. The Internet address for regular updated information is also provided.

School Subject Selection by Students in the Post-Compulsory Years

An investigation of Year 11 students’ (n=1580) responses to possible reasons contributing to subject selection for the Higher School Certificate in New South Wales indicated that the most important reasons were related to assistance in obtaining work or with future studies. The perception that particular subjects would be “scaled up” for inclusion in the Tertiary Entrance Rank was of limited importance in subject choice with the exception of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Furthermore, interest in course content and the belief that they would do well were important in the selection of Creative Arts and Social Science subjects. Results are discussed in light of related research and the implications for career education in schools.

We're in the Schools: A Statement on Girl Scout Career Education in Schools

We're in the Schools: A Statement on Girl Scout Career Education in Schools