Developed to serve as a point of comparison for women and minority student participation in mathematics and science courses, this survey focused on secondary schools in Arkansas. Survey forms were sent to all Arkansas secondary schools (N=362) and 246 forms were returned (68 percent of the initial mailing). Findings include: (1) males are…

Over the last 10 years, declining school enrollments resulted in nearly 30,000 school closures nationwide. Little research has been done, however, on the effects of closing a high school. This report interprets data gathered both before and after the closing of Wheaton Warrenville High School in a large Chicago suburban school district to…

This paper reviews the theoretical basis for educational voucher proposals, the various types of vouchers proposed, and the experience that has been had with voucher systems so far. The paper looks first at the claims made by voucher supporters that vouchers will redistribute political and economic power and simplify the administration of…

Activities of a Pierce County, Washington, cooperative established in 1983 to unify the delivery of instructional services to secondary special education students in a vocational education context are reported. The report is divided into two major phases: Phase I, A Determination of Secondary Vocational Education Staff Input and Involvement in the…

This report assesses the relative effectiveness of primarily voluntary and primarily mandatory desegregation plans in a sub-sample of 20 school districts, 9 of which are magnet-voluntary plans and 11 of which are magnet-mandatory plans. The major conclusions of this report are the following: (1) voluntary desegregation plans work; (2) dismantling…

The question of whether noncredit, continuing education courses at the college level compete with or complement credit offerings is considered, based on surveys at Lakeland Community College (Ohio) and Lee College (Texas). For Lakeland College, there was some potential competition from noncredit classes in specific subjects. Lakeland Community…

In the 1985-86 academic year, progress was made in increasing the availability of adult basic education (ABE) programs throughout Pennsylvania and in reducing both the overall rate of premature program separation and the rate of enrollees who dropped out of the program before meeting their personal objective. Demographic characteristics of the…

Colleges and universities are as vulnerable to change and public scrutiny as public schools. Many are experiencing hostile legislatures, meddling board members, loss of public confidence, reduced budgets, program changes, and alumni criticism. Colleges of education have responded to public scorn with massive program reforms; educational…

Results of the 1984-1985 Graduate Student Survey of physics and astronomy graduates are presented, with attention to: educational background, current graduate student status, choice of subfield, and employment prospects. Highlights include: a major increase occurred in the proportion of foreign physics doctorate recipients; the number and…

The essays in this collection provide contrasting points of view on a number of community college issues that have become more pressing during periods of economic constraint. The volume contains: (1) "Part-Time Faculty: The Value of the Resource," by William R. C. Munsey; (2) "Part-Time Faculty, Full-Time Problems," by David Hartleb and William…

In spring 1984, a study was conducted in the Saddleback Community College District (SCCD) to assess student flexibility in choosing class schedules and to measure the importance of employment and child care responsibilities in the course selection process. The study population consisted of all students who completed class registration for spring…

Results of the 1982-1983 Graduate Student Survey of physics and astronomy graduates in the United States are presented. Information is provided on the educational background, current graduate student status, choice of subfield, and employment prospects. Highlights include the following findings: an increase occurred in the proportion of foreign…

A retrospect of teachers and teaching in American schools from the 1950s to the 1980s is presented. In this overview of American education, the impact of the following events and social changes is measured: (1) the "baby boom" of the 1950s; (2) the focus upon suburban living; (3) the effect of the "baby boom" on the demand for teachers; (4) the…

The segregation of blacks in American public schools has changed little since 1972. During the same period of time there has been a constant growth in the segregation of Hispanics in schools. No branch of the Federal Government has taken any policy initiatives toward desegregation since 1971. This report presents information concerning the status…

Results of a study on changes in campus policies and practices are presented, with the major focus on the issue of assessing student learning. Also considered are changes in faculty hiring and areas of curricular review, enrollment, and financial circumstances of colleges and universities. Results indicate that most administrators support the use…