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Research & Evaluation

Educational Equity
For over a decade, the Vocational Equity Research, Training and Evaluation Center (VERTEC) has been working to promote gender equity in Connecticut’s schools. The goal of VERTEC is to expand the educational and economic opportunities available to females through education and training programs, and to assist educators and administrators in providing equitable, non-discriminatory programs. The purpose of these efforts is to increase the success of all students, particularly females, in obtaining education and training leading to self-sufficient employment in nontraditional, high-wage, high-skill occupations. VERTEC conducts trainings and technical assistance as well as applied research to promote gender equity and discourage gender discrimination.

Promising Practises in the recruitment of Young Women in Careers in Technical Education (1300k).

Promising Practises in the Integration of Academic and Applied Education (1000k).

Parent Resource Guide (154k).
Increasing Gender Equity: Encouraging Students To Explore Their Opportunities (180k).
Re-Examining History: Searching For Inclusion In CT Txtbks (124K)
Re-Examining History: Executive Summary (40k)

CT Girls and Technology Network
The Connecticut Girls and Technology Network believes it is important to provide girls with continued motivation and opportunities to explore technology throughout their formative years. By capturing girls’ interest and helping them to realize their potential for success in tech-related careers, we will contribute to an increase of gender equity in the workforce and help to bridge the digital divide.

During the 2004-2005 school year, Girls and Tech Expos were held on four Connecticut college campuses - U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Saint Joseph College, Housatonic Community College and Quinnipiac University. In all, approximately 444 girls and 61 teachers participated in hands-on workshops some of which included:

• Computer Deconstruction,
• It's a Radioactive World,
• Virtual Bridge Building,
• Slimy Polymers,
• Extracting DNA,
• Marine Animals of Long Island Sound,
• Broadcast Technology,
• Using Computers to Trade Stocks,
• Forensic Science-Better than CSI,
• and Nutrition Jeopardy.

To share the fun of these Expos, we have posted some of the Expo pictures online.

Archived Equity(Vertec)NEWS
Fall, 2002(48k)
Spring, 2002(80k)
Fall, 2001(72k)
Fall, 2000(72k)
Spring, 2000(56k)

Another CWEALF project, the World of Technology, is a high school technology education course that emphasizes learning technological skills, explores careers in math, science, and technology, and makes connections between the classroom and the world of work. The project strives to address gender discrimination by providing girls with a level playing field to pursue technology courses and careers. The goal of the course is achieved through scheduling all-female or female majority in sections of the course, the use of female mentors in the classroom and an emphasis on career exploration. CWEALF provides technical assistance and evaluation services for districts who are implementing the model project.

The State Department of Education recently selected the project as a model Technology Education program. Through state support, CWEALF continues to present the World of Technology research to districts around the state and at national and statewide conferences.

World of Technology Publications
World of Technology Promotional Packet (184k)
World of Technology Report Evaluation Fall1999-Spring 2000 (86k)

Girls and Technology Network
In addition to our work on the VERTEC project and gender equity and gender discrimination, CWEALF is working with the Connecticut Career Choices program to expand opportunities for female students in high skill, technology related courses and careers. As part of that project, we are facilitating the Girls and Technology Network, a statewide collaborative that works to create a climate for learning and using technology in all forms. We will learn from girls themselves what will help accomplish our goals:

To make technology activity equally welcoming and enriching to all students

To expand the range of opportunities for girls to participate in careers in technology.

For more information, contact Lucy Brakoniecki, Gender Equity Specialist. lbrakoniecki@cwealf.org

Welfare to Work
Over the past several years there have been multiple changes to the workforce development system that provides education and training services to low-income people. CWEALF continues to play a vital role in ensuring that these programs accomplish what they are intended to do: assist people in acquiring the necessary skills to transition either from welfare to work or to a job that pays a higher wage. Through a grant for the Office of Workforce Competitiveness and the State Department of Labor, CWEALF staff have conducted site visits and interviews with service providers and clients to determine the effectiveness of this service delivery system. In addition, CWEALF staff participated in meetings to identify ongoing system problems and outline changes and initiatives to address these obstacles. Through our collaboration with the State Departments of Labor and Social Services, the Regional Workforce Investment Boards and community education and training and social service agencies, we have been able to continue to raise the concerns of welfare recipients and help to make changes to the system to better meet their needs.

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