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The National
Association for Workforce Improvement has its roots in the State
Research Coordinating Unit that arose in the 1963 Vocational Education
Act. Out of a desire to share needs and concerns, the directors
of the SRCUs formed the National Research Coordinating Unit Director's
Association in 1966. This group met annually and was funded by USOE
until the mid-70s. Funding was dropped at this time by USOE because
it was determined that research and development should be a state
function.
The southeast
and midcentral states were especially active in holding one or more
meetings a year from about 1970 until the early 80s. At that time
the function expanded from research and development, management
information systems, and accountability to the broader concept of
Program Improvement. Program Improvement consisted of six functions:
Research and Development, Curriculum Development, Professional Development,
Exemplary Programs, Sex Equity, and Career Guidance.
Legislation
changed, and the requirement that each state have a research coordinating
unit was dropped. Since there was no longer a ready-made membership
base for the organization, the leadership of the NRCUA decided to
broaden the appeal of the organization and changed its name to the
National Association of Vocational Education Improvement or NAVEPI.
Eventually NAVEPI joined with the American Vocational Information
Association to host joint conferences. These two groups later formed
independent associations, necessitating another name change to the
National Association of Workforce Improvement (NAWI). During the
past three years, NAWI has built a reputation for providing high
quality, relevant conference events.
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