Wisconsin K-12 Career Education Consortium. Final Evaluation Report from Third-Party Evaluators.

Third-party evaluation of the Wisconsin Career Education Consortium (WCEC) was conducted over two years, utilizing a time series evaluation design established in 1975. On-site interviews, surveys, and tests were used to collect data from students, teachers, counselors, parents, and administrators. The WCEC was effective in disseminating career education information, assistance, and products. Recipients of the newsletter, demonstration kits, and the assessment/evaluation (AE) kit gave them a positive evaluation. The seven consortium members had specific objectives which were primarily achieved. For instance, Eau Claire funded mini-projects that significantly impacted on the staff/students, and Kimberly extensively used resource centers and worked to improve community involvement in their program. Madison, Oregon, Shawano, Sheboygan, and Watertown also had effective program elements. Learner outcomes assessment revealed significantly higher attitudes toward work scores formed in the ninth grade and some significant increases in occupational knowledge. The third-party evaluators recommend that WCEC formalize a planned in-service program transportable to various school systems. (CSS)