A series of studies that investigated the validity of abilities learned in college for later career and professional work are summarized. After describing the rationale for validating outcome-centered higher education curricula, the following types of measures for program evaluation and outcome validation are discussed: performance measures of…

This study investigated the speed of encoding and rotation of images during simple spatial rotational operations to discover any similarities or differences in groups of differing spatial ability. This project was subdivided into five basic subproblems. First, research was done to arrive at a simple, easily testable information processing model…

In response to informal reports that the time limitations on the new 1978 test forms of the General Educational Development (GED) Tests resulted in some examinees having to work substantially faster than at a comfortable rate, this study was designed (1) to estimate the time required for examinees to complete the tests at their preferred rate; (2)…

Poor, minority, and low ability students suffer most from the general lack of sustained opportunity to study mathematics in American public schools. Studies indicate that preschool and kindergarten students show only minor social class or racial differences in mathematical thinking and that differences in mathematical performance among older…

Because audio-visual information is pervasive in contemporary cultural communications, this study looked at the importance of audio-visual information and how it can be used for educational purposes. Specifically, the study compared the effectiveness of audio-pictorial slide-tape presentations and printed verbal language selections as stimuli for…

Differences in learning processes were studied in more versus less intellectually able undergraduate students. Thirty subjects were selected to represent a wide range of general and mathematical reasoning abilities, based on the following test scores: Necessary Arithmetic Operations and Vocabulary Test V2 from the Educational Testing Service ETS…

The American College Testing Program's College Outcome Measures Project (COMP) Objective Test and Activity Inventory were administered to 93 Nazareth freshmen in fall 1980 and to 36 seniors in spring 1981. Results provided data on the actual level of student performance in relation to several key general education outcomes and comparisons of…

A major concern for those in higher education is whether the instruments they use for screening students are valid and predictive. Of particular interest is whether a grammar test, used in many institutions to screen students for developmental English, and a reading comprehension test, used to screen students for developmental reading, truly…

Using the data from Project Talent and the Growth Study conducted by Educational Testing Service, this study determined the changes from 1961 to 1967 in the proportion of high school graduates, categorized by ability and socioeconomic status (SES), who made particular post-high school educational decisions. For males, the educational alternatives…

Drawing upon a study conducted at a large, urban community college district, this report assesses the academic skill levels and persistence of liberal arts students. After introductory material noting the declining skill levels of entering college students, the report describes the study, which involved Fall 1980 surveys of instructors and…

Coeducation at the U.S. Military Academy from June 1977 to April 1978 is analyzed. Summaries of individual research projects conducted to understand and evaluate specific aspects of coeducation are included. An open-systems model served as a conceptual guide for the study. The following areas were explored: individual adjustment, attitudes, social…

Out of level testing is defined and reasons for administering out of level tests, especially in compensatory education programs are explained: (1) to achieve optimum test reliability; (2) to test student achievement--provided out of level test scores are interpreted in terms of the appropriate in-level population; (3) to avoid carelessness and…

This series of six papers concerning the Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study (BTES) starts with Teaching Behaviors, Academic Learning Time and Student Achievement: An Overview of Phase III-B of the Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study by the project director, Charles Fisher. As an introduction, it describes a model of classroom instruction based on…

This guide defines the basic competencies in reasoning and describes how to incorporate them into the educational program at all grade levels. Reasoning is the ability to approach day-to-day problems with intelligent decision-making skills. It is important for students to begin developing reasoning skills at an early age and in all subject areas.…

The study assessed the self-concept of academic ability among 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grade Indian children, compared their level of self-concept with that of other children enrolled in the same classes to find out the role of socioeconomic and ethnic background in determining the level of self-concept, and examined the factors that correlated…