This paper addresses the methodological issues encountered when attempting to evaluate a college course's effectiveness by determining whether students who enroll in it perform at higher levels than students who did not enroll. The paper identifies resource people who may be helpful in the evaluation, and offers guidelines for the research…

The City College of San Francisco (CCSF) conducted a study on the participation in and effect of matriculation services for students in fall 1995. CCSF wanted to determine whether students were participating in these services, whether the services effected greater academic success, and whether students who did not participate in these services did…

To supplement the academic review process and provide information on trends in occupational/technical (OT) programs, Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) examined student enrollment and completion data and determined occupational opportunities for graduates of the college's OT programs. Student enrollment and graduation data for fall 1992…

This study compared the success of traditionally prepared student teachers with contextually prepared students from Project Opportunity, which was designed to develop a sense of community among student teachers and between student teachers and college faculty and the faculty, staff, and students of partner schools. Groups of students were surveyed…

Research was conducted on the use of education services by welfare recipients in Maryland through surveying local departments of social services and using university research departments. Information was sought on the following: the number of Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) customers engaged in educational activities, the types of activities,…

This is the first edition of the College of the Canyon's (California) Institutional Effectiveness Report, which is modeled after the statewide report prepared by the Chancellor's Office. The college is measuring 60 effectiveness indicators in four mission areas: student access, student success, staff composition, and fiscal condition. A brief…

The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans works with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Latino community-based organizations, educators, and youth advisors to identify programs that work for Latino youth. This directory compiles the programs recommended to date and is a work in…

The Neighborhood Jobs Initiative (NJI) began in 1998 in five cities (Chicago, Fort Worth, Hartford, New York, and Washington, D.C.) in 1998. The NJI targets high-poverty urban neighborhoods, attempting to connect residents to employment opportunities nearby and in the urban periphery by providing training, supporting interpersonal networks, and…

This article argues that successful implementation of Reading Recovery requires a systematic plan to ensure that everyone at the district level, school level, teacher level, and parent/home level understand the goals and benefits of the program, including school board members, community members, central office administrators, principals, teachers,…

Keeping high school students in school and helping them gain competence and confidence in skills so that they can be successful in the world of work and/or college is an enormous challenge. The results of one study clearly demonstrated a direct correlation between one's self-esteem and academic competence. The more competent one feels, the better…

Contends that educational organizations must shift their focus from innovative online product development to a standardization of the product with an increase in process innovation and development. Asserts that an increase in process design is the next step toward developing, implementing, and refining collaborative learning, learning communities,…

Compares the grade point averages (GPA's) in mathematics and English of community college freshmen who completed developmental courses with those of students who took no remedial courses. Developmental students had significantly higher GPA's in college-level math than non-developmental students, and somewhat higher GPA's in college-level English.…

Describes two methodologies utilized to evaluate developmental reading instruction at Suffolk Community College (New York). The first examined student grade point averages (GPAs), and the second compared pre- and posttest reading test scores. Finds beneficial impact on students' overall GPAs and significant gains in reading skills. Suggests the…

Describes a study conducted at four North Carolina community colleges of the relationship between completion of an orientation by new students, higher retention, and grade point averages. Indicates that completing an orientation course during the first term of enrollment promotes and improves student performance regardless of age, gender, race,…

Five case studies illustrate the value of strategic communications in school and college public relations (PR). Central issues include public scrutiny of a controversial faculty hiring policy; internal communication during retrenchment; a local education/job fair; animal rights activism; and winning public approval for a long-range campus plan.…