Many students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have specialized interests and passions that are highly reinforcing. Such special interest areas (SIAs) are more than mere hobbies or simple curiosities. Rather, the SIAs of an individual with autism may be characterized by (a) significant depth and breadth of knowledge about the area, (b)…

In 1988, a study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) to assess the needs of registered nurses in the college's service district for continuing education courses, seminars, and workshops. A survey was mailed to 6,228 registered nurses to determine their awareness of and/or past participation in WRHC's continuing education program,…

Nomography, a branch of applied mathematics, deals with the graphical solution or nomograph of certain types of equations. This paper presents an example of nomography that has proven useful in calculating average weekly student contact hours (WSCH) per instructor, and that allows for rapid assessment of the maximum and minimum number of…

This paper examines the needs of the adult learner and how these needs are being met at Kent State University, Ohio, and by other colleges and universities. Factors explaining the rise of adult learning on college campuses and demographic information on the current adult student population in colleges and universities are presented. Reasons for…

To gather information for Maui Community College's (MCC's), on the Multi-Ethnic Island of Lana'i. fall 1992 of students and residents of the island of Lana'i to assess community interests and educational needs. Responses were received from 232 Lana'i residents, of whom 49% were current or former students, 31% were male, and 84% were employed.…

The Cayuga-Onondaga Assessment for Children with Handicaps (COACH) is an assessment and planning tool designed to assist in the development of relevant educational programs delivered in integrated settings. The tool provides methods to determine a student's top learning priorities from a family-focused perspective, translate priorities into goals,…

Currently, Michigan's Schoolcraft College (SC) offers classes on weekends but no formal program that allows students to complete a degree on weekends. To determine the community's general interest and need for a Weekend College Program and for expanded services in general, SC conducted a survey of 399 residents of the college's service district,…

This five-volume study report presents the methods and findings of a fall 1983 survey of current students at Montgomery College (MC). Part 1 focuses on students' evaluation of college activities, services, and facilities; perceptions regarding the difficulty of their course work and the accuracy of final grades; assessment of the college catalog…

In 1982, Bakersfield College (BC) conducted a telephone survey to assess the effectiveness of BC's promotional efforts, the community's perception of the quality of BC's courses and cultural events, the educational interests and needs of the community, and interest in expanded child care and innovative time frames for course offerings. Information…

By studying the process by which disadvantaged and low-achieving high school students are assigned to classes and special programs, how and why disadvantaged students are placed in inappropriate programs can be understood. Reasons exist to question the assumption that students are assigned to programs rationally on the basis of information about…

In 1989, a study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) to assess the current and potential child care needs of students and staff and to determine whether the early childhood program child care services should be expanded. A survey was mailed to 708 full-time faculty, full-time staff, and part-time staff and to 312 students…

In light of recent legislation specifying minimum educational requirements for the renewal of real estate licenses for brokers and salespersons in Kansas, Johnson County Community College conducted a survey of community needs for real estate education. The survey instrument, which was distributed by the Johnson County Board of Realtors to its…

A telephone survey was conducted in Fall 1979 by Santa Ana College (SAC) to determine its service community's: demographic characteristics; familiarity with SAC and its course offerings; perception of the college's mission; satisfaction with and attitudes toward SAC; and educational needs and desires. Telephone interviews were completed with 600…

Utilizing the responses of 385 women to a district-wide community needs assessment conducted in March 1980, as well as information gathered from personal interviews with 400 women students, Santa Ana College (SAC) conducted a project to increase the awareness among women of SAC's programs and services and to determine: (1) women's degree of…