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A fourteen-month project was undertaken to update, expand, publicize, and evaluate EUREKA, a career information system used for vocational counseling in California. As a result of this project, the following information was added to EUREKA's data base: twenty-one new schools; sixty-two agencies offering over 1,000 courses; a VISIT file for Contra Costa County; descriptions of employers in forty-four major industries; thiry-one apprenticeship programs; and forty new occupations. In the area of user services, training sessions were held at secondary and postsecondary institutions, and various products to aid users were developed such as a counselor's handbook (CE 022 142), audiovisual presentations, and a wall chart. In order to publicize the system, newsletters were distributed as well as a press kit, and demonstration-workshops were conducted. Both internal and third-part evaluations indicated that the project successfully met its objectives (an evaluation report is also published separately--CE 022 141). Further evidence of its positive value has been its adoption by California schools and agencies. In the future it is projected that EUREKA will continue to expand its information files and become a well-developed, self-sufficient statewide career information system. (The appendixes include samples of information files, a report on EUREKA's use by disadvantaged students, copies of the project's newsletters, a statistical data summary, and copies of evaluation forms.) (ELG)

A computerized career information system named EUREKA has been developed for California. It originated in 1975-76 under the direction of the Bay Area Computer Educators and since that time has received state and VEA funding. It consists of two major components, Quest and information files. Quest asks users twenty-one questions in order to determine potential occupations suited to their interests and abilities. The information files which provide up-to-date occupational information by specific locations in the state include eight types of information: (1) occupational description; (2) cluster description; (3) career preparation; (4) cluster preparation which suggests high school courses helpful for preparing for a career within a cluster; (5) bibliography of career reference materials; (6) visit, which names persons working in particular occupations who are willing to answer questions and somtimes to provide on-site observation; (7) programs of study and training; and (8) postsecondary schools. (Directions are given for using EUREKA, and the appendixes contain standards for use, the EUREKA Constitution, aide training for the system, information on Quest, two EUREKA conversion tables for the Kuder DD and the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory, and a glossary.) (ELG)

An evaluation for 1978-79 was conducted of EUREKA, a career information system in California. Personal visits were made to sixteen EUREKA sites throughout the state, accounting for over 75% of the high schools and agencies with active programs. Both the directors of the programs and counselors were interviewed for their reactions. It was found that (1) the information on vocational programs is considered accurate, complete, and up-to-date; (2) physically handicapped students are able to use the system; (3) no evidence of sexism or minority prejudice exists in the information files; (4) staff training by audiovisual presentations is extremely well-received; and (5) the user evaluation form provides sufficient feedback. It was not possible to evaluate either the employer information files since they were not being used at these sites or publicity regarding EUREKA since the program was already in operation at these locations. (Reports on each of the sixteen sites are provided giving the comments of the interviewees on technical aspects, student users, the occupational information files, Quest, and other topics such as funding and publicity efforts. A final project report is published separately, as is a handbook for counselors using EUREKA--(see Note.) (ELG)