This study was conducted to investigate persistence rates and gender differences among science students at John Abbott College (JAC). Issues addressed in the study included the differences between students persisting in and those transferring out of science programs, female representation in science programs at JAC, and the differences, if any,…

The National Institute of Education (NIE) initiated this first national study of the means by which school districts actually choose principals. NIE specified two main research goals for this study: (1) describe and characterize common practices in principal selection; and (2) describe and characterize promising alternatives for the improvement of…

In 1990, a study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) to determine the feasibility of establishing an insurance program at the college and to assess local employment demand for insurance personnel. The survey instrument and a proposed curriculum for an associate degree program were mailed to 144 area insurance companies and…

By June 1983, California enacted Senate Bill 813, a sweeping, comprehensive education reform program that contained over 80 education policy and program reforms. The state legislature asked the research team to analyze schools that were effectively responding to reform stimuli and to identify how Senate Bill 813 aided, hindered, or was irrelevant…

This program assessment instrument was developed to identify criteria for excellence in science in Alaskan schools. It was designed to be used by administrators, professional staff and community representatives to assess science programs. The instrument contains categories of items which are to be rated on a five-point scale ranging from "not…

Governance in U.S. higher education is discussed, based on a 1982 survey of decision making in higher education with attention to its roots, the effects of current conditions on decision-making arrangements, and a possible governance framework for the future. While both private and public education are considered, the public sector is emphasized.…

A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the degree to which teacher training programs in 4-year public colleges and universities include rural education as part of their teacher education program. Questionnaires were mailed to college of education deans and chairpersons at each of the 473 4-year public colleges and universities in the…

In 1983, Santa Monica College (SMC) created a task force to assess the college's need for child care services and to devise possible service models for consideration. Subcommittees were formed to address student and staff child care needs; ways of funding child care services; criteria for possible child care facilities and sites which met these…

A follow-up study was conducted at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) of students who had completed several courses in the Criminal Justice Program to determine why students left the criminal justice field, examine Criminal Justice students' enrollment and course-taking patterns, and to analyze withdrawal and failure rates in the course,…

A self-study survey for state postsecondary education planning and coordinating boards are presented. The first section (topic 1) allows respondents to rate 13 general postsecondary education goals on a 4-point scale (i.e., high, medium, low, or no importance/priority for the board). Under topic 2, respondents can rate the role of the state…

A survey was conducted to determine the needs of elementary teachers with respect to the teaching of science. Areas addressed in the survey included: biological, physical, and earth science topics taught at various grade levels; criteria used to select sequencing and content of the science curriculum; most common methods of instruction used in the…

A national survey of electronic data processing (EDP) skills and training needs involved 16 representative firms that employed EDP staff. Separate semi-structured interview schedules were used to interview 266 job holders and 63 managers with responsibility for EDP staff and computing systems. Findings indicated 67 percent of EDP staff had not…

Faculty development programs in different types of colleges are considered, along with support of faculty development by private foundations, including the Bush Foundation's Faculty Development Program. The evolution of faculty development in institutions in the United States is traced, with emphasis on efforts in the last 15 years. A literature…

A study of 2-year associate degree commercial arts programs in Wisconsin was conducted to determine the entry-level job requirements of commercial artists on a statewide basis; to identify skill tasks, performance levels, and learning experiences required of commercial artists; to evaluate the relevance of 2-year programs to industry requirements;…

This report describes and assesses the effectiveness of activities conducted by the University of Toledo (Ohio)/Springfield Local Schools Teacher Corps Project. On-site staff development activities provided to elementary, junior, and senior high schools are described: (1) two credit-bearing courses on teaching strategies for multicultural…