Effective decision-making depends upon true communication among decision-makers. Futurists should develop fundamental thinking skills such as the ability to formulate good questions, consider alternative points of view, and set short- and long-range goals. By example and through education, the "tools of futuristics" can be employed usefully in…

Perspectives concerning William Rhodes' philosophy and his 1975 predictions about the mental health system are offered. Rhodes characterized the traditional mental health system as one that suppresses individuality in the interests of social control. On the other hand, in innovative progressional institutions, power is shared by providers with…

Some of the changes that have taken place in Canada since 1974 which affect university admissions are identified, and research relating to those admitted from secondary schools and college is summarized. The results parallel U.S. reports. (MLW)

Using two specially constructed tests for synonyms and general knowledge, researchers examined the possibility of deciding which test items will produce expected sex-differentiated results by looking at test-item contents. They found stable sex differences but very limited possibilities of identifying the test items leading to those differences.…

The planning processes that focus on the need to gain consensus among potential planners are described. The scenarios resulting from these processes gain their value not from some objective estimate of their validity but from the commitment and involvement of the participants. (MLW)

Analyzes data from 4,313 Wisconsin Central Registry of Child Abuse reports (1973-1978) to determine that initial social worker investigations of child abuse contain weak predictors on the probability of a subsequent incident and that the prediction may be different in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan environments. (Author/LC)

Kindergarteners asked to predict which of 18 unrelated pictures they would be able to recall were shown to be as discriminating as older children at predicting memorability in a signal-detection analysis. Justifications for why items were memorable showed increased reference to item and task characteristics with increased age. (Author/CM)

Used a Delphi procedure to survey 334 counselor preparation faculty and forecast 48 possible trends in counseling procedures, organizational bases, counselor preparation and licensure, funding, and professionalism. Even more emphasis can be expected on counselor accountability. Using these predictions, long range planners can anticipate change.…

Offers comments from high school publications advisers on the effects of increased publishing costs and on what to expect in the future of school publications. (RL)

Tests may be used to help colleges clarify objectives, connect the curricula across several levels of schools, reduce redundant instruction, support and enhance learning among students of all ages, conserve resources, and improve evaluation and placement. (MLW)

Comparability may be obtained for the Language Assessment Scale and the Bilingual Syntax Measure through a change in classification strategies which will also improve the equivalence of the tests and their correlation with achievement. Use of the tests along with teacher ratings should then provide meaningful criteria for classification.…

An enrollment projection model designed and implemented at LaSalle College had five phases: establishing clear goals, model construction, model implementation, model estimation and validation, and using the forecast. The history of LaSalle's model and the elements in decision making are outlined. (MSE)

Until recently, norms of experimental reasoning have lacked systematic theoretical development. Thus, it has been easy for psychologists like Tversky and Kahneman to misclassify certain human reasoning processes as being Pascalian and invalid, rather than as being Baconian and valid. (CP)

In Asimov's scenario of the future, the percentage of older people will increase and computer technology will relieve humanity of many tasks. The concept of education as a lifelong, natural, and enjoyable process will thus become paramount, and university extension and continuing education institutions will be challenged to meet the needs of an…

Reviews how counselors may review developments in guidance counseling and training advancement. Increased counselor demand, needs for quality counseling and career education are predicted. Curriculum will be the base of power. Counselors will be rooted in the real world. They will meet adult student's needs. (BEF)