This study identifies the successes and challenges associated with the addition of a nonlibrary service desk in a university library's learning commons. The authors wanted to know whether a training and service collaboration with an outside unit could reliably and efficiently connect students to the librarians, academic support services, and other…

Assessing student learning is a critical element in today's higher education environment. Learning assurance programs seek to assess and improve the quality of student learning, and may employ both direct and indirect measures. In this paper, we describe a practical learning assurance assessment measure developed and used as a part of a broader…

In 2006 4-H National Headquarters at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National 4-H Council introduced a new initiative aimed at increasing the number and quality of science, engineering, and technology programs that 4-H offers around the country, and increasing the number of youth involved in these programs. By engaging youth in informal…

The use of rigorous assessment in an Information Literacy program can be used to persuade reluctant faculty and administrators to buy into a program. A "culture of assessment" also assures quality control for internal and external audiences. Information Literacy at Wartburg College is unique in that it is a required component of five…

This paper reports on the first phase of a three-part study meant to provide information, in an expanded context, for decisions related to marketing communications at Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC). The Marketing Department proposed focus groups to examine dropouts, students who are admitted but do not enroll, and business persons in…

Mandated multicultural education in Iowa grew out of a strong commitment to education, a large influx of Southeast Asians, and a concern for the homogeneous nature of educational materials. The mandate stated that the Iowa Board of Education was responsible for the design, implementation, and evaluation of a multicultural/nonsexist education…

This report is the result of an independent evaluation of a project conducted during the 1990-91 school year with 56 teachers and over 1,800 students from 28 elementary schools in Iowa. The goals of the project were to demonstrate the effectiveness of new technology to improve science and geography instruction at the elementary level; train…

This study used the questionnaire previously developed and used by the national Richardson Study to survey Iowa school districts concerning the standards, resources, and procedures used in providing special educational services to gifted students. The study focused on comparing the largest and smallest school districts and on comparing districts…

The School-based Youth Services Program (SBYSP) provides a one-stop location or center accessible to teens within or close to the public school. It is designed to help at-risk students by coordinating services between the community and the school, with the goal of keeping students in school and helping them gain skills that lead to employment,…

The Iowa Department of Education, in cooperation with the state's 15 community colleges and Drake University, completed an outcomes study of adult vocational training/retraining programs offered through the Adult and Continuing Education Divisions of the colleges. Study goals were to profile businesses served by the colleges, evaluate employer…