Describes the construction of durable, inexpensive and large sand-hourglasses for use in controlled experiments that allow students to observe, infer, measure, record data, and predict. This hands-on activity is designed to take place over a three-day interval. Includes materials needed, techniques, procedures, follow-up activities, and resource…

Examines relevant case law regarding confidentiality in educational research. Argues that the benefits to society of educational research and the notion of academic freedom provide a rationale for extension of limited legal privilege of confidentiality to educational researchers. Proposes a code defining the nature and extent of research…

This article describes data requirements in Public Law 99-457; discusses issues confronting states as they develop data systems, such as the problems of comprehensiveness, incompatibility, and confidentiality; examines data on numbers of infants and toddlers receiving early intervention services; and explores applications of a national database on…

Successful college enrollment management requires information about the institution's image, effectiveness of recruiting activities, role of financial aid, student persistence, and alumni success. Enrollment managers must review the literature, develop a performance monitoring system, construct longitudinal cohort tracking files, identify student…

Suggests steps in planning and managing student tracking systems: build support, determine the system's purpose, inventory available student data, identify information gaps, consider a small prototype, make tracking ongoing, and use the system. Reviews potential problems during implementation. Cites further sources of information. (DMM)

Describes a multiyear national effort by the Center for the Study of Community Colleges to stabilize a definition of transfer rates and collect data on student transfer from community colleges to four-year institutions. Presents preliminary findings and reactions to the study/findings by college practitioners. Advises simplicity and efficiency.…

Methods used to follow, for 18 months after pregnancy resolution, 241 premaritally pregnant urban adolescents in a longitudinal drug use study are described. One respondent dropped out after the first interview. Temporary attrition at each data collection wave was between 1 percent and 3 percent. Sample recruitment and retention are discussed.…

Efforts to assess quality of academic life at Vanderbilt University (Tennessee) resulted in a plan to merge qualitative and quantitative measures and uncovered political, logistical, and fiscal issues in collection and use of the two kinds of data. Although qualitative databases are costly, they are also very useful in different ways. (Author/MSE)

The recent bloating of college administrations has worsened rather than improved administrative performance whereas it has raised costs. Faculty can discover the extent of the problem on their campuses, then activate professional associations and faculty budget committees to call for gradual roll-back in the ratio of administrative to…

Describes the Hawaii Department of Education's School Library Network Project and its approach to retrospective conversion for more than 200 school library media centers using a combination of 3 methods: in-house, full data entry; in-house, partial data entry; and full vendor contract. It is noted that a combination of these methods provides the…

Video cameras can be used to gather data, record the development of a project, document learning, aid in problem solving, or create a class archive. Short clips can be laced together with dialog or music without extensive editing. (SW)

There are many ways in which electronic technology can be used to support developmental efforts in teacher evaluation. One important way will be providing unobtrusive and easy-to-collect documentation and feedback in evaluation. Computer-mediated telecommunication also has great potential for the promotion of professional development. (SLD)

The relationship between drama in education and program evaluation is explored through the evaluation of an elementary school drama program. The compromise approach presents evaluation as a complex adaptation of an innovation or growth profile. The report contains enough hard data to be useful for policymakers but is rich in information…

Offers some strategies for enabling science teachers to make better use of data-logging methods. These ideas are grounded in the belief that science teachers are expert lesson planners. Benefits gained for students using data-logging techniques are more likely to be secured through teachers re-interpreting their planning approaches in the new…

Evaluates the Career Opportunity Program 2000, a six-year collaborative effort of Des Moines (Iowa) public schools, a community college, and a university to increase minority teachers in the area. Aspects of the development process are examined and a literature review and data-collection procedures discussion are provided. (MMU)