Focuses on the use of skill competency lists in occupational programs and the credentialing of skill proficiencies. Data from two National Center for Education Statistics surveys show that most secondary schools with one or more of the relevant occupational programs had developed or adopted skill competency lists for their programs. (Author/SLD)

Presents the results of a national survey of political participation with a random sample of 513 social work leaders involved in health policy. Ten conceptually different prototypes of social work political participation were identified, which provide an empirical model that integrates routine functions with political components. Implications of…

A survey of evaluation practices used to assess the effectiveness of library instruction at 44 colleges and universities found that "reaction data" was used most often, although it provided little evidence of what the students learned. Argues that subjective data alone are inadequate to measure student learning, guide program…

Presents research review on Chicana/o ethnic identity, focusing on the National Chicano Survey, and on Chicana/o children, adolescents, and young adults. Suggests that the struggles youth face are not just related to experiences with membership in an ethnic group but as a member of a racialized group. Discusses areas of Chicana/o existence that…

Examines differences in the design and execution of two surveys: the 1996 National Household Education Survey (NHES) and the 1994 October Current Population Survey (CPS). These differences may have contributed to disparate estimates of the number and proportion of home-schooled children. Discusses implications for survey research and home…

Discusses a study of oral communication's place in the English language arts curriculum of K-12 schools based on a telephone survey of all 50 states and an examination of curriculum frameworks. Analyzes major conceptual bases and organizational patterns. Finds that over 60% of the frameworks give extensive treatment to oral communication, but…

Discusses uses of household education surveys and the fact that not all educationally relevant data can be collected from schools. The two studies highlighted in this issue demonstrate the payoff from household surveys in their explorations of parent involvement in their children's schools and adult education. (SLD)

Evaluates universe coverage, data coverage, and response rates of the Academic Libraries Survey. Includes examination of survey design and data collection, perceptions of regional survey coordinators, and reporting by public versus private institutions. (Author)

Reports on national surveys of members of the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) to identify characteristics of institutional researchers in terms of three questions: (1) "Who are we?"; (2) "Where do we work?"; and (3) "What do we do?" Includes tables listing AIR members' election of topics of high…

Analyzes data from the 1999 National Association of College and University Business Officers Endowment Study of 503 institutions. Finds that 80 percent of endowment wealth was held by 129 institutions; that the average institution withdrew 5.4 percent from its endowment; and that 86.5 percent of assets were invested in marketable securities. Lists…

A survey comparing librarian job satisfaction with a 1996 Inc./Gallup survey of other US workers found fewer librarians were satisfied with their place of employment (80.4%/91%), fewer felt they had an opportunity to do what they do best (57.8%/82%), but more felt they had an opportunity to learn and grow (91%/84%). (PEN)

Surveys 267 American School Counseling Association members regarding their current supervision, desire for clinical supervision, and rating of supervision goals. Although a small minority of respondents indicated that they were currently receiving supervision, a majority of respondents indicated a desire to receive supervision. Discusses…

Summarizes universe data on public schools and local education agencies (primarily school districts). Includes national and state data on the number, type, and size of schools and districts, as well as selected student characteristics. (Author)

Examined the progress of public schools in providing students and teachers with access to computers and the Internet. Includes comparisons by school characteristics. Data from several surveys indicate that by fall 2000, almost all U.S. public schools had access to the Internet. (Author/SLD)

Summarizes results of a 1999 survey regarding the satisfaction of various groups with publications, databases, and services of the National Center for Education Statistics. Groups studied were federal, state, and local policymakers; academic researchers; and journalists. Compared 1999 results with 1997 results. (Author/SLD)