This background paper provides a picture of general progress in vocational education assessment instruments and policies. Chapter 1 explains the paper's purposes and presents a summary of its contents. Chapter 2 traces the evolution of federal accountability requirements in vocational education law and explains the intent of the 1990 provisions. Chapter 3 profiles current state testing and assessment policies in vocational education. It analyzes how state assessment policies and practices are changing in response to Perkins Act requirements and considers how these changes could affect both other reforms in vocational education and the nature of learning and instruction in vocational education itself. Chapter 4 describes some testing and assessment resources available to measure various kinds of occupational skills, including tests developed by three main vendors. Chapter 5 explores alternative approaches for defining, teaching, and measuring broad technical skills and highlights issues that should be considered in moving toward assessments that meet needs identified by Congress. Chapter 6 describes how the U.S. Department of Education has implemented performance standards. One appendix lists legislative milestones related to accountability in federal vocational education programs. Another appendix explains acronyms. (YLB)

Technical and vocational education and training at technical schools are major contributing factors in combating poverty, unemployment, and inequality. The primary purpose of technical and vocational education and training is to prepare students and learners for the world of work and for a smooth transition from education institutions into the workplace. As the Fourth Industrial Revolution continues to create more radical changes in the labor market, experts are calling for a reform of education, including vocational education and training and adult and professional education. New Models for Technical and Vocational Education and Training is an essential scholarly research book that examines TVET and CET colleges and programs that provide intermediate skills to enhance students’ chances of employability and entrepreneurship in Industry 4.0. The book explores knowledge in respect to workforce preparation, digital skills development, teaching and learning of TVET, flexibility and articulation of TVET to respond to work-integrated learning, and reskilling and upskilling to avoid skill mismatches. It is ideal for TVET schools, academicians, curriculum designers, managers, training officers, administrators, vocational professionals, researchers, and students.

Papers cover the effects of the 1990 Perkins Act on vocational training policy and practice, funding issues, issues regarding special groups, and the relationship between academic and vocational education.