A Study of the Significant Factors That Affect the Job Placement Rates of Students Who Have Completed a HERO Program [microform]

A three-year study examined the significant factors that affect the job placement rates of students completing a Home Economics Related Occupations (HERO) program. Other purposes of the study were to develop and pilot test a model that could be used to determine factors related to student placement in a variety of vocational education programs and to provide a thorough description of the HERO programs under study. To obtain data for the first year of the study, researchers visited 30 HERO programs at nine different sites throughout Michigan. The focus of the study was on HERO programs in either home furnishings, equipment and services, or institutional home management and supporting services. A mail survey instrument was also developed and sent to all other sites in Michigan that offered HERO programs in either of these two subject areas. Based on data from both the site visits and the mail questionnaires, it was determined that these sites with high placement rates generally had one-year programs that made extensive use of job shadowing and provided vocational interest screening for interested students. The most successful programs also appeared to place a high degree of emphasis on providing career opportunity awareness resources and training for guidance counselors. (Appended to this report are the survey instruments and discussions of the study findings.) (MN)