As a nation, society benefits from an educated populace. At a time when economic, environmental, social, and security issues are the focus of many conversations in businesses, industries, government offices, schools, and homes, policymakers turn their attention to the further development of human capital. Educators acknowledge that they have key…

In April 2007, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities- (APLU-) Sloan National Commission on Online Learning was created through a generous grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The purpose of the Commission was to engage the presidents, chancellors, and other institutional leaders in a unique, comprehensive discussion of the…

A survey was conducted to assess environmental data users' interest in a referral system such as the National Environmental Data Referral Service (NEDRES) and to gauge user willingness to participate in a proposed NEDRES network and to comply with a system of NEDRES user fees. Twenty-one organizations were identified and 3,200 individuals were…

Focusing on the status of entrepreneurship education in agriculture at the secondary, postsecondary, and adult/young adult levels, volume 1 of this report presents findings from a national study conducted to provide planning information for a major national initiative on agricultural entrepreneurship education. First, an introductory section…

In 1984, the Connecticut State Board of Education (CSBE) convened a study committee to: (1) establish a conceptual foundation supporting developmentally appropriate programs and services for 4-year-old children and their families; (2) assess existing services and identify served and unserved populations, providers of services, and gaps in…

This report describes a needs survey administered at the first National Bilingual Education Management Institute. The purpose of the survey was to discover the major needs for evaluation training in bilingual programs. The survey dealt with the following areas of concern: identification of evaluation topics that would be useful and of interest to…

This hearing, which is the first of a series of hearings on the 1990 decennial census, focuses on automation activities, pretest preparations, and proposed residency rules. Gene L. Dodaro, associate director of the General Accounting Office, calls on the committee to use special purpose tests to adequately evaluate the following: (1) potential of…

Four surveys were part of an evaluation of the Pew National Dental Education Program to help dental schools respond to the changing health care environment. Results show funded schools gained a better understanding of their environment, reported increased participation in and commitment to planning among constituencies, and implemented strategic…

This report outlines the health threats of cigarette smoking on college campuses. It cites evidence that smoking among high school seniors and college freshmen has dropped only 1.5 percent since 1981, and notes the dangers of second-hand smoke. Six recommendations for becoming a smoke-free campus are listed. The experience of American industry and…

The Program Status Research Study examined the status of local programs for students with high abilities and reasons given by key personnel for program status. A mail survey to 2,900 local personnel in 19 states (divided into four groups according to economic health and the existence or non-existence of a state mandate to provide services) yielded…

The Centre for Alcohol and Drug Studies, Johannesburg (South Africa) commissioned a study of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among historically disadvantaged black youth aged 10 to 21 years. A national survey explored the prevalence of substance use in this age group through responses of 1,376 children and youths. An in-depth study examined…

This is the fourth periodic report on the programs and plans of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). It describes current programs aimed at meeting the needs posed by the National Education Goals and other educational policies, the future plans for the agency, and its major publications. In addition to updating the descriptions of…

Reviews literature on prenatal drug abuse to (1) estimate mothers' drug use and exposure of infants; (2) document the relationship between prenatal drug use and adverse birth outcomes; and (3) examine effects of maternal drug use on birth defects. Argues for more treatment facilities and greater prevention efforts. (SLD)

Data from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88) provides information about critical transitions experienced by students as they leave elementary or middle school and progress through the educational system to the world of work. The Extension NELS study reported here used NELS:88 data for the base year sample of 24,599 eighth…

Issues in the development of assessments of higher order thinking skills for college graduates are discussed in the order in which they were presented when this series of papers was commissioned. With regard to Issue 1, it is generally agreed that the development of these skills is a desirable goal, but there is little consensus on how they should…