Effectiveness of student attitude and student learning in job-acquiring skill program

Abstract

The major purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of student attitude and student learning in a job-acquiring skill program (JASP) with that of a non-specific job-acquiring skill program. Specific objectives included: (1) the development of a curriculum module on job-acquiring skills and (2) the identification of changes resulting from a job-acquiring skill program. There were 78 dependent variables on attitudinal, cognitive, and interview measures with the JASP as the independent variable. This study addressed itself to the following research questions: (1) Is there a significant difference in attitudes toward work of students who receive JASP as compared to vocationally trained students not in JASP? (2) Is there a significant difference in the employability skills of students trained in JASP as compared to those who receive no specific job-acquiring skill training? The module (13 class hours of 55 minutes) included behavioral objectives and the expected level of accuracy for which each was to be met, enabling objectives, terminal objectives, detailed plans for reaching the objectives and evaluation measures. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the module was evaluated by professionals in curriculum and instruction, vocational education, business, home economics, guidance, and English. A pilot test, using a sample of 35 secondary home economics students, was conducted to improve the instruments, design and other elements. ...