Career Education

A conceptual framework and program plan for R&D in career education prepared for the National Institute of Education. A fundamental premise of the report is that R&D requires a focus on operationally definable problems. The focus suggested is the responsiveness of career education to the problems experienced by individuals as they interact with the labor market. A framework for R&D is established by tracing the connections between three major labor market problems — unemployment, low-income employment, and alienation in employment — and career education interventions that might ameliorate these problems for various population groups. Using this framework, some ongoing career education projects are examined to determine what changes and additional efforts are needed. A program plan is derived with four basic components: analytical activities, modification of continuing projects, new efforts, and evaluation. Approximate budget proportions and staffing requirements for carrying out the program are suggested, together with alternative organizational and management strategies.