Treatise (Ed. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

This study concerned student transfer and articulation between Kent State University and Cuyahoga Community College District.

Nesta dissertação será abordada a política da educação profissional no Estado do Paraná, a partir de 2003, e sua efetivação no Colégio X, mantido pela Secretaria de Estado da Educação (SEED-PR). O estudo de caso teve como objeto o Curso Técnico em Turismo, integrado ao ensino médio e ofertado pela referida instituição. Com base na pesquisa do tipo qualitativa, buscou-se analisar a oferta do curso Técnico em Turismo, integrado ao ensino médio do Colégio X na perspectiva apontada pelos documentos oficiais. Perpassaram pelos estudos questões relacionadas aos recursos materiais e aos humanos do curso. Destarte, foram estabelecidas relações entre a infraestrutura do Colégio X, disponibilizada ao referido curso técnico em relação às recomendações do Catálogo Nacional de Cursos Técnicos (CNCT). Também foi analisado o PPP do curso em relação às Diretrizes da Educação Profissional do Paraná (DEPs) bem como, caracterizado o corpo docente do mencionado curso, no qual pesquisamos suas representações acerca do trabalho como princípio e ensino médio integrado, categorias fundantes das DEPs. Os resultados revelaram que a infraestrutura (recursos materiais) se mostra insuficiente em relação às recomendações do CTNC, e que o PPP do Colégio X se encontra diametralmente oposto aos fundamentos das DEPs quando comparado os fundamentos de cada um desses documentos. Na caracterização dos professores, entre outros levantamentos, apuramos profissionais sem vínculos empregatícios, notadamente quando se trata dos docentes das disciplinas técnicas. Ainda foi constatado que suas formações continuadas, ofertadas pela mantenedora, não vem atendendo as especificidades para a formação técnica em turismo. Acerca das DEPs e dos fundamentos filosóficos que a sustentam, apuramos que um reduzido número de professores tem conhecimento sobre o assunto. A grande maioria dos docentes demostraram distanciamentos do referido documento e incompreensões acerca das categorias investigadas. Por fim, quando estudamos a história e estabelecemos relação com a atualidade, os dados revelam que pouco se alterou ao longo da existência da educação profissional no Brasil, marcada por sua dualidade estrutural. / In this dissertation will be addressed the professional education policy in the State of Paraná, since 2003, and its effectuation at school X, maintained by the State Department of education (SEED-PR). The case study had as object the technical course in tourism, integrated to high school and offered by the referred institution. On the basis of qualitative study, aimed to analyze the supply of technical course in Tourism, integrated into the high school of College X in the perspective indicated by the official documents. Permeated by studies issues related to material and human resources of the course. Thus, relations have been established between the infrastructure of the College X, provided to the referred technical course in relation to the recommendations of the national catalogue of technical courses (CNCT). Was also analyzed the PPP of the course in relation to the guidelines of the Professional Education of Paraná (DEPs) and yet, characterized the teaching staff of the mentioned course, in which we research their representations about work as a principle and integrated high school, foundational DEPs categories. The results revealed that the infrastructure (material resources) is insufficient compared to the recommendations of CTNC, and that the College‟s X PPP is diametrically opposed to the fundamentals of the DEPs when compared the fundamentals of each of these documents. In the characterization of teachers, among other surveys, we found no professional employment relationships, especially when it comes from teachers of technical subjects. Still was verified that their continued education, offered by the maintaining entity, does not answer the specifics for technical training in tourism. About the DEPs and the philosophical foundations that support it, was found that a small number of teachers have knowledge about it. The vast majority of teachers demonstrated distancing from the document and misunderstandings about the categories investigated. Finally, when we study the history and establish relationship with the present, the data shows that little has changed over the existence of professional education in Brazil, notably marked by its structural duality.

Community college students transfer to public universities experiencing a pathway filled with complexity and inequity. Transfer students are not able to graduate at the same pace as native students at the university and complete their baccalaureate degrees 18% below the rate of native students. Policymakers have attempted to address the baccalaureate gap. This qualitative study explored the perspectives of Texas policymakers and policy influencers on the efficacy of policies intended to improve transfer outcomes. This study investigated what experience participants have with transfer policy, what their perceptions of the transfer pathway are, and how their voices can refine an understanding of policy development and ways to improve student persistence. Purposeful sampling was used to explore the perspectives of 14 Texas policymakers and those that influence policy. Findings revealed that significant gaps exist between expectations and student realities and that the completion agenda is driving policy decisions. Participants perceived that transfer students have been ignored in the completion metrics, which influence institutional priorities. Moreover, the decentralized system of independent, autonomous institutions is a major contributor to inefficiencies such as excessive student credit hours. Improving the transferability of courses was a priority recommendation of all participants both because it benefits the State’s economy and, more importantly, because it is in the best interest of students.

The study examined factors that influenced high school students' participation in a college dual enrollment program. The purpose was to determine why more students from a large high school with a predominately Hispanic enrollment did not participate in a dual enrollment program. The sample design included college-bound high school juniors and seniors participating and not participating in a dual enrollment program. Family and teacher influences emerged as salient predictors of participation, while factors such as a lack of information, academic un-preparedness and a lack of qualified teachers to teach dual enrollment were associated with internal barriers to participation. / text