This primer introduces 23 practices designed to support students inside and outside of the classroom and increase their community college success. These case studies illustrate the five themes for effective student support that emerged from Student Support (Re)defined--a multi-year study performed by the Research and Planning Group for California…

This article provides ideas on how to conduct alumni telephone surveys: (1) use the information gathered; (2) implement a survey; (3) develop appropriate questions; (4) test a survey instrument; (5) train interviewers; (6) collect the data; (7) analyze the results; (8) report the results; and (9) use the results to take action. (MDM)

Examines how the U.S. public views the benefits associated with local governments' recreation and park services. The study concerns use of services; types of benefits perceived at the individual and group levels; and relationships between the respondent's perception of benefits, socioeconomic and demographic status, and use of such services. (GLR)

This article draws upon a Department for Education and Skills (DfES) commissioned telephone survey of a nationally representative sample of schools to investigate the challenges faced by those seeking the successful implementation of the Foundation Stage (FS) (for 3--5-year-olds) in reception classes. Its focuses on head teachers' and reception…

In an attempt to handle the shortage of registered nurses (RN's), many institutions have designed articulation programs to move licensed practical nurses (LPN's) into RN programs. Research describes LPN's as nontraditional adult learners with family responsibilities who must work full-time while in school. Many are anxious about returning to the…

This manual provides documentation and guidance for users of the public release data files (adult file and course file) for Adult Education (AE) component of the 1991 National Household Education Survey (NHES:91). The NHES:91 was a random-digit dial telephone survey developed by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and conducted by…

This article describes the University of Illinois's telemarketing test to recruit new alumni association members. The computerized calling program resulted in 379 new members (out of 9,278 alumni contacted), netted a profit, and indicated that different groups of alumni react to phone solicitations differently. (DB)

The flight of middle class families from the cities to the suburbs has left many cities hard pressed to continue services at former levels. Falling enrollments and revenues have led to mergers of city and county school districts or closures of city districts followed by county takeover. This report documents educators' experience of city-county…

Suggestions are offered for automating university telemarketing efforts. The integration of computer technology with existing phone systems can be accomplished using various types of terminals, caller-controlled or computer-controlled dialing, systematic database management, and institutional commitment. Increased efficiency and long-term cost…

Higher education administrators often wonder if the information they receive from the low response rates to surveys of non-matriculating applicants accurately reflects the entire population of these non-matriculants. These questions are exacerbated by evidence that response bias does exist. This paper describes how St. Mary's College in Notre…

Dalhousie University (Nova Scotia) has moved from fund-raising phonathons which relied on prospect cards to complete computerization. Procedures describe how the system records pledges and biographical information and generates statistical reports. Increased efficiencies and cost savings have been realized. (DB)

Sixty training tips are presented for university phonathon fund-raising managers, focusing on training materials, the training session, role playing, talking points with trainees, togetherness, food and prizes, morale boosters, talking points with prospects, and how to ask for a pledge. (DB)

Reports results of a telephone survey of Ohio educators. Examines what teachers need to strengthen geography instruction. Reports that the survey asked blocked improvements in geographic education. Determines major needs to include teacher education with inservice workshops and better instructional materials. (DK)

Graduate surveys are a good way for home study schools to determine whether graduates are getting jobs in their field of training and whether courses are meeting student expectations. Although telephone surveys are more costly and time-consuming than mail surveys, they are usually more accurate. Survey response rates can be boosted to 50-60% by…

This guidebook explains how to conduct a telephone survey that will gather the information necessary for new program needs assessment in the Wisconsin Vocational, Technical, and Adult Education system. The guidebook is based on pilot assessments conducted by Fox Valley Technical College. The guidebook contains five sections: (1) introduction--why…