The regression-discontinuity approach to evaluating educational programs is reviewed, and regression-discontinuity post-program mean differences under various conditions are discussed. The regression-discontinuity design is used to determine whether post-program differences exist between an experimental program and a control group. The difference…

Prior research on learning has been linked to instruction by the derivation of general principles of instructional design from learning theories. However, such design principles are often difficult to apply to particular instructional issues. A new method for relating research on learning to instructional design is proposed: Different ways of…

Empirical evidence is presented of the relative efficiency of two potential linkage plans to be used when equivalent test forms are being administered. Equating is a process by which scores on one form of a test are converted to scores on another form of the same test. A Monte Carlo study was conducted to examine equating stability and statistical…

The 147 papers in this collection represent the cutting edge in the field of information technology for teacher education. The keynote address, presented by Thomas F. Ryan of Illinois State University, is entitled "Using Technology: A College of Education's Experience." Following that is an invited paper presented by Brent Robinson of the…

This paper presents the results of two studies which were performed to assess the effects of the practice of an interactive video game on spatial visualization test scores. The first study used 70 Laval University undergraduate students as subjects, while subjects for the second study were 101 seventh grade students from the area of Quebec City.…

This study assessed the effect of group size and presentation mode on acquisition of the process skill of forming and testing hypotheses and selected attitudes. Preservice elementary teachers (N=87) in five intact classes received two 1-hour sessions presented by microcomputer, 1 week apart. Half of the subjects were assigned to three-member…

A number of key issues facing elementary, secondary, and postsecondary educational administrators during retrenchment require a hierarchical decision-modeling approach. This paper identifies and discusses the use of a hierarchical multiple-alternatives modeling formulation (computer-based) that compares and evaluates a group of solution…

This 10-day study compared the effects of alternative ways of using microcomputer simulations on the achievement and attitudes of sixth- and seventh-grade science students (N=173). Nine classes were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (1) microcomputer simulations; (2) laboratory activities; (3) a combination of simulation and laboratory…

Some examinees' test-taking behavior may be so idiosyncratic that their scores are not comparable to the scores of more typical examinees. Appropriateness indices, which provide quantitative measures of response-pattern atypicality, can be viewed as statistics for testing a null hypothesis of normal test-taking behavior against an alternative…

This paper reports estimates of the distribution of individual private rates of return to undergraduate and community college education by field of study for Canada. It is important to know the dispersion of the private rate of return to post-secondary education, as well as its average level. There are very different implications for…

The Virtual Job Experience (VJE) is an interactive computer job simulation that allows learners to sample an occupation's actual tasks realistically. The effect of the VJE experience on students' career perceptions, explorations, and aspirations was examined in a study of 94 high school students enrolled in 3 summer school classes. Students were…

A regression model of teacher stress was evaluated through the use of LISREL models at six selected points in time over an autumn term for 142 grade 1 through 12 teachers. Home environment and relations with colleagues and students were significant factors at various times throughout the study period. (TJH)

Describes plans to create a Global University Consortium, i.e., a worldwide educational electronic network of universities, businesses, and governmental, nongovernmental, and community organizations. Topics discussed include quality education; transcultural unity; moral leadership; academic freedom; peace-gaming; participation of less developed…

The validity of the assumptions under which the ordinal true score test theory was derived was examined using (1) simulation based on classical test theory; (2) a long empirical test with data from 321 sixth graders; and (3) an extensive simulation with 480 datasets based on the 3-parameter model. (SLD)

The difference between item bias and item impact and the way they relate to item validity are discussed from a multidimensional item response theory perspective. The Mantel-Haenszel procedure and the Simultaneous Item Bias strategy are used in a Monte Carlo study to illustrate detection of item bias. (SLD)