In July 1989, a national telephone survey was conducted by the Gallup Organization to assess the attitudes and perceptions of a nationally representative sample of adults about American colleges. A total of 1,253 telephone interviews were conducted. Study findings included the following: (1) 38% of the respondents gave higher education a grade of…

Recent bachelor's degree recipients from the University of Maryland at College Park (UMCP) were surveyed approximately 1 year after graduation. Surveys of those who received their degrees in summer or fall 1986 or spring 1987 were primarily concerned with education, employment, and evaluation of experiences at UMCP. The information is presented…

This report is part of a study of school districts in British Columbia (Canada), and deals with school district ethos--interest in defined focal areas--both as a measure of school district quality and as a potential predictor of student achievement. The study concentrates on one of these focal areas--holding schools accountable through monitoring.…

California State Proposition 98 requires the governing boards of California school districts to prepare and issue an annual School Accountability Report Card for each elementary and high school under their jurisdiction, beginning in the school year 1989-90. The report card must assess a minimum of 13 specified conditions. This manual provides…

The institutional assessment model described in this report is used by Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ) to collect current information needed to update the goals of service and instructional units, identify opportunities for improvement and growth, and assess the resources of the college. The first sections of the paper explain the…

While most economists agree that educational attainment contributes to national economic performance, studies have not generally confirmed a similar conclusion with respect to rural areas. This paper examines the relationships between rural education and economics. The new aim of American education, restoration of national economic…

This paper presents research findings to help policymakers understand and select various options for holding schools accountable for their performance and to help them devise a multistrategy accountability system. However, it does not recommend one system over another, since a given accountability option must be compatible and adapted to…

This study investigated the relationship of an organization's clear and focused mission and the role of the principal as a strong instructional leader to the academic achievement of students. Focus was on extending educators' understanding of the types of goals selected by instructionally effective schools and activities of principals in schools…

This report summarizes the results of research conducted in the Benton Harbor Area Schools (Michigan) during 1985 and 1986, to measure the sustained impact of the School Development Program (SDP), which aimed to increase school effectiveness. The study sample included a total of 313 students in kindergarten through grade five who attended 14…

Regression-based adjustment of student outcomes for the assessment of the merit of schools is considered. First, the basics of causal modeling and multiple regression are briefly reviewed. Then, two common regression-based adjustment procedures are described, pointing out that the validity of the final assessments depends on: (1) the degree to…

In 1989-90, 73,793 surveys were administered to students, teachers, other campus professionals, campus administrators, and parents in the Austin (Texas) Independent School District (AISD). This report addresses findings related to key topics associated with school strengths, problems, and quality as well as school climate and effectiveness. Survey…

This report presents suggestions for elementary school improvement from the 22 elementary school principals who comprise the charter membership of the National Association for Schools of Excellence (NASE). Each principal has received national recognition for educating low-income students, usually by emphasizing strong school-business cooperation.…

The University Council for Educational Administration's (UCEA) response to the National Policy Board's agenda is reviewed in this address. Recommendations for action include: reassessment of the organizational mission; initiation of assertive interaction with critics; and collaboration among all professional groups. Examples of the UCEA's actions…

Studies that trace change over time are essential to inferring how people change. To add understanding to the change process in school systems in Georgia that demonstrated improved Criterion Referenced Test (CRT) scores for several consecutive years, this study was conducted. Interviews were held with 90 teachers, administrators, and supervisors…

An annotated listing of over 80 journal articles and research reports on values education, a brief summary of the opinions and findings in the articles, and recommendations for educators are presented. The annotations, which form the major portion of the document, are compiled within the following categories: justifications for values education,…