An Occupation in Harmony: The Roles of Markets and Government in Career Information and Guidance

Interest in career information and guidance (CIG) has grown as part of many countries efforts to strengthen education to improve their workforce. While CIG may facilitate markets in education and training, the provision of CIG itself is subject to market failures. This paper examines the demand for CIG, the structure of supply, and the nature of markets. Based on the OECD Career Guidance Policy Review, it then examines ways that countries have tried to correct such market failures in CIG – clarifying the responsibilities of governments to create the foundations necessary for markets.     

Exploring barriers and solutions to academic writing: Perspectives from students,higher education and further education tutors

Staff and student perceptions of what constitutes good academic writing in both further and higher education often differ. This is reflected in written assignments which frequently fall below the expected standard. In seeking to develop the writing skills of students and propose potential solutions to writing difficulties, a study was conducted in a university and a nearby further education college in the north west of England to explore barriers and solutions to AW difficulties. This paper reports the findings generated using unmoderated focus groups with second-year university health studies students (n=70) and moderated focus groups with further education college teachers (n=3) and health studies lecturers in a university (n=6).

Findings indicated that staff and students’ perceptions of what constitutes AW differed. The barriers to academic writing that were identified included lack of time and confidence; lack of extended writing at FE level; lack of reading and understanding of academic texts or journals; referencing; and academic jargon.     

Engaging Faculty for Innovative STEM Bridge Programs

Bridge programs, in which underprepared students gain the academic and technical skills necessary for college level courses and entry-level employment, are a promising initiative for expanding access to, and success in, community college education. For career pathways related to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), bridge programs are critical for enlarging the pool of students who are exposed to, and can aspire to, STEM preparation. This study, conducted with support from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education program, followed four community colleges for a year to understand local factors that facilitated or impeded implementation of a bridge program in which basic skills were contextualized in biotechnology. The findings are that implementation of a contextualized curriculum requires substantial faculty learning. Implementation of these bridge programs was facilitated by instructional leadership by both administration and faculty. Administration assisted in creating the conditions that supported learning by coordinating faculty schedules and funding faculty time for initial and ongoing program development. Faculty benefitted by the support of experienced team members who could guide interdisciplinary learning. Implementation was facilitated when team members met frequently and when faculty worked collaboratively to implement the curriculum. Recommendations include planning for faculty development, both for faculty collaboration and contextualizing curriculum.     

Facing Up to Budgetary Challenges at the Biological Survey,New York State Museum

Collection and research activities in biology at the New York State Museum (NYSM) are centered in the Biological Survey. Its operating funds are set by the governor, the state legislature, and the state education department. Additional funding is provided from grants and the New York State Museum Institute. Operating budgets and staff size between 1973 and 1994 were rather constant or rose somewhat during the first three-fourths of this period, then increased dramatically as a result of special appropriations by the legislature. In recent fiscal years, there were major cuts in the NYSM's operating budget, and the Biological and Geological Surveys were especially targeted for “downsizing.” The museum embarked on a campaign to have the proposed cuts more broadly assigned or the funding restored. The methods used included testimonials to legislators by survey clients and visits by museum staff to explain the benefits of the surveys. The Museum Visiting Committee and the Business and Industry Advisory Council were formed to further ensure support of the surveys. This advocacy emphasized the importance of a clear focus on actual and potential client needs in research and other programs of the surveys, constantly advertising what we do, and broadly-based collaborative projects that make good use of expertise existing in the state. The Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) was created by legislation in 1993 and placed within the NYSM.