CEW Annual Reports:
ANNUAL REPORT,2004-05
Selected Highlights and Accomplishments
Center on Education and Work
School of Education
The Center’s 2005-2010 mission statement is . . . to collaboratively produce
new knowledge and effective practices for strengthening learning and career development
in and across education, workplace, family and community settings. Three strategic
priorities guide the development and implementation of research and outreach projects
undertaken at the Center. These priorities focus on producing new knowledge
and resources to support sustained practices and polices that: (a) integrate learning,
instruction, and career-focused practices and interventions, (b) enhance learning
supports for both special and non-special needs learners through new technology
developments, and (c) support the development of new leadership, policy, and systems
improvement approaches.
Key accomplishments in support of the University’s priorities during the past
year are described below:
Wisconsin Career Assessment
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has partnered with the Center’s
Wisconsin Careers unit to create and provide the Wisconsin Career Assessment (WCA).
The WCA is an online career interest inventory and planning tool for 8th and 10th
grade students. The 180-question assessment is available without cost to all schools
that administer the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination (WKCE). This
assessment permits local educators to conduct applied research and evaluation studies
that examine the relationship between students’ career interests and their
academic performance in mathematics, science, English and social studies.
This year more than 50,000 8th and 10th grade students completed
the WCA.
Evaluation Research
On behalf of the Governor’s Work-based Learning Board, the Center is conducting
an evaluation study of the Tech Prep partnership programs, which serve high school
students planning to attend one of the sixteen technical colleges. The findings
will provide information for policymakers as they make informed decisions about
future high school policies and Tech Prep initiatives. A second study is examining
the program outcomes for the small but innovative Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship
Program. Findings regarding the impact of the program on the academic and
career development experiences of 16-21 youth will be informed post-program data
on employment, earnings and post-secondary education participation.
For the WI Department of Public Instruction, the Center is conducting the program
evaluation for a 5-year State Improvement Grant (SIG) project focused on improving
educational results for children with disabilities. The evaluation is based
on data secured from 60 cooperating service providers under contract with DPI, including:
13 CESA agencies, the Waisman Center, six UW System institutions of higher education;
the Wisconsin Technical College System; and non-profit service providers, such as
the Wisconsin Parent Education and Training Centers.
NASA Career Information System Project
Wisconsin Careers partnered with the Center on Educational Technologies (CET) at
Wheeling (WV) Jesuit University to develop a career information system prototype
for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA-CIS). The NASA-CIS prototype
provided: (a) career information to support CET classroom activities, NASA developed
educational websites, and other NASA educational programs, (b) career information
about NASA that is seamlessly accessible to state-based, government, and privately
supported Career Information Delivery Systems (CIDS) and the estimated 22 million
students and educators using them, and (c) a vehicle for informing students’
interest in and excitement about NASA, as well as careers at the NASA and with NASA
contractors.
WisconsinAdvanced Placement Distance Education Consortium
Postsecondary education is struggling to attract and maintain a diverse student
body of competent, confident, and committed students. Advanced Placement (AP) courses
provide students with opportunities to highlight their competency, enhance their
confidence, and spark their commitment to postsecondary education. In many rural
and urban Wisconsin communities, the very students that higher education seeks to
attract have limited or no access to AP courses. With funding from U.S. Fund for
the Improvement of Postsecondary Education and several Wisconsin groups and agencies,
this consortium has designed, implemented, and institutionalize a statewide partnership
of real-time distance education courses targeted especially to students from resource-poor,
low-income, rural and urban school districts. During 2004-05, 175 students from
25 different high schools participated in AP classes, and significantly enhanced
their prospects for entering and succeeding in college.
Students with Disabilities
A 3-year investigation of highly effective high schools and the access they provide
to teaching and learning experiences for youth with disabilities is nearing completion
in October 2005. Research questions address the attainment of student educational
outcomes and how special education and regular education programs coordinate educational
services for students with disabilities. The six high-performing high schools
participating are located in Anchorage; Arcadia, Virginia; Atlanta; Boston; Chicago;
and Los Angeles.
PostCollegeSuccess and Transition
With funding provided by the Institute for Educational Sciences at the U.S. Department
of Education, John Gugerty and his research team have examined the post-college
success of graduates with disabilities. Among the major research questions,
they are examining factors associated with degree completion and the effectiveness
of disabled student services available on five university campuses. More than
625 graduates have been surveyed and interviewed. Final results will be published
in August or September 2005.
WISCareers
Throughout 2004-05 the Center provided a wide range of web-based and technology-intensive
services to Wisconsin schools, colleges, and career centers. More than 600
education and adult-serving sites subscribed to the WisCareers system offering access
to career, labor market, and postsecondary education information to more than 100,000
students and adult users. Last year more than 480,000 logins by Wisconsin
youth and adults included browsing approximately 50 pages during each login.
As a true expression of the Wisconsin Idea, the Center on Education and Work (CEW)/Wisconsin
Careers, in partnership with the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce, completed WC-Connection,
a website linking business and education in the Green Bay area. Sponsored by local
business and community groups, the WC-Connection enables business and not-for profit
and businesses to post information describing their business profile and providing
details on a wide range of teaching and learning resources offered to schools and
colleges, including internship, job shadowing, and field trip opportunities, as
well as staff members willing to serve as guest lecturers and mentors. Several
leading business organizations and local chambers have adopted this technology tool
in Appleton, Menomonie, and Middleton/Cross Plains areas.
Careers Conference
The 19th annual Careers Conference, "Developing Careers, Changing Lives," drew 943
educators, career counselors, and others from across the nation. Held January
31—February 2, 2004 in Madison, this three-day event focused on all aspects
of career development and education for work at levels from elementary through adult.
Nearly 150 sessions were delivered by recognized experts and leading practitioners,
emphasizing the latest and most effective programs, strategies, and resources for
lifelong career development. Fifty-seven educators received scholarship money through
a grant from the Evjue Foundation to attend the conference.
The 5th annual Professional Development Institute for Career Development Facilitators
(CDFs) and CDF Instructors was held July 25-26, 2005 on the University of Wisconsin-Madison
campus. This is the only event of its kind, designed especially to enhance the professional
development of nationally certified CDFs and CDF Instructors. Fifty-two individuals
participated in the event, which focused on building 12 career development competencies
as defined by the National Career Development Association.