ERIC_NO: ED364750
TITLE:  An Investigation of Opinions toward Educational Outcomes.
AUTHOR:  Wichowski, Chester P.; Walker, Thomas J.
LANGUAGE:  English
DESCRIPTORS:  Administrator Attitudes; *Educational Attitudes; Educational Practices; Educational Trends; Elementary Secondary Education; Employer Attitudes; Employment Qualifications; Futures (of Society); *Outcomes of Education; *Statewide Planning; Teacher Attitudes; *Vocational Education
IDENTIFIERS:  *Pennsylvania
ABSTRACT:  A study explored learning outcomes for secondary students in Pennsylvania. Data were collected in two stages: through a survey of the opinions of 1,089 educators in eastern Pennsylvania (51% response) and through a random sample of 3,364 member of the business and industrial community in the area (22.3% response). The survey resulted in the production of 11 tables comparing the educational outcomes emphasized by the educators and the business and industry leaders. Some of the outcomes rated highly by both educators and business people included the following: (1) ability to be dependable on the job; (2) ability to follow directions; (3) positive work attitude; (4) ability to be on time; (5) effective communications; (6) positive attitude toward learning; (7) desire to work hard; (8) proficiency in applying reading skills; (9) teamwork; and (10) positive attitude toward co-workers. Recommendations were made to conduct a review of vocational education programs to determine if the outcomes ranked highly are currently in place, and to consider the rank order of outcomes to identify areas of emphasis for the schools' curricula. (KC)
GEOGRAPHIC_SOURCE:  U.S. ; Pennsylvania
CLEARINGHOUSE_NO:  CE065317
PUBLICATION_TYPE:  143; 150
PUBLICATION_DATE:  1993
EDRS_PRICE:  EDRS Price - MF01/PC02 Plus Postage.
COMMENTS:  35p.; Paper presented at the American Vocational Association Convention (Nashville, TN, December 4, 1993). For the report on which this paper is based, see ED 363 801.
PAGE:  35; 1
LEVEL:  1