Suggesting that a major socioeconomic transformation is underway in American society, this paper discusses seven elements of an emergent post-affluent society: (1) the demographic effects of the "baby boom" generation; (2) the emergence and recognition of a post-affluent consciousness; (3) the recognition of the transcendental nature of…

One technique for helping children adjust to changing role models is bibliotherapy--the use of children's books to facilitate identification with and exploration of sex role behavior. Confronted with change in various social systems, particularly the family, children are faced with conflicts concerning their sex role development. The process…

Standard procedures for estimating item parameters in Item Response Theory models make no use of auxiliary information about test items, such as their format or content, or the skills they require for solution. This paper describes a framework for exploiting this information, thereby enhancing the precision and stability of item parameter…

Computer use in Michigan schools has evolved in three stages over the past decade. In the first, computers were new and few, and professional development was typically self-initiated. The Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) was formed at this time to provide resources to local districts which they were unable to provide…

The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model, a conceptual model for measuring productivity and efficiency, is presented and applied in this report. First, the DEA model is described, and three of its properties that make it particularly useful are identified; i.e., it measures efficiency of units relative to each other rather than to absolute…

The checklists, tips, and examples will help persons involved with youth participation projects demonstrate the impact of a project. They will also help check for project strengths and weaknesses. Including the introduction, there are seven chapters. Chapter 2, "How Should Your Evaluation Look?" discusses what questions should be asked,…

This document describes basic skills, their place in programs of vocational preparation, and their potential for progression into more advanced programs. Section 1 reviews the present situation and concepts regarding the provision and acquisition of skills. The need for progression is described, and the possibility of creating programs for…

Reading educators stress the importance of teaching reading study skills in college content area classes. Thus, a freshman level reading education course offered the opportunity simultaneously to model effective practices for preservice teachers and to conduct a study of the gains in both content knowledge and reading study skills for students who…

A study was conducted to test the belief that students would develop a better attitude toward communication models if they were depicted using computer-generated graphics than they would if traditional chalkboard depiction were used. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) that the mean attitude-towards-models score for students exposed to models via…

A Rubik's cube analogy provides a perspective on the complexity of managing educational futures and the purposes, language, and assumptions of this monograph. A broad commentary on the relationship between society and education and an overview of the conceptual framework used to examine this relationship is followed by a comprehensive review of…

The Alberta Essay Scales were developed to assist teachers in the grading of essays. They represent a standard based on written compositions at the 12th grade level in 1964 to be compared with current composition writing achievement. A scale for mechanics in English and one for writing style and content are defined through model essays and…

Evaluation within human service organizations is defined in terms of accepted evaluation criteria, with reasonable expectations shown and structured into a model of systematic evaluation practice. The evaluation criteria of program effort, performance, adequacy, efficiency and process mechanisms are discussed, along with measurement information…

Developed as a resource for providers concerned with issues of parent involvement and family support, this manual offers ways to successfully involve parents in day care. It provides detailed descriptions of tested approaches to parent involvement, including practical tips and implementation strategies, in order to help programs adapt a given…

As described in this final report, the Immersion Learning Project at Wayne State University investigated the advantages of two alternative approaches to providing long term inservice training in special education to those in urban preschool programs working with high-risk and/or handicapped young children. During the first year of program…

The basic hypothesis of this study is that language education could be more effective if planning were to aim at developing an individual functional trilingualism involving a first (indigenous) language, a second African (national) language, and an official (foreign) language. The study covers the following matters: (1) a survey of developments in…