A study attempted to: (1) identify principals' perceptions of their occupational responsibilities and their academic preparation to function in these areas; (2) determine significant relationships between perceptions of preparation and perceptions of difficulty; and (3) determine significant differences among the perceptions of groups of…

As a consequence of a validation study based on over 200 skilled technicians employed in engine manufacturing, seven aptitude tests were administered to 50 applicants in June 1982. This report presents correlations between test scores and three criteria (math grades, job performance ratings, and a composite) for the 26 people who entered the…

Opinions and research findings differ on two fundamental aspects about a teacher's impact in the classroom: the amount students learn, and the process of instruction. Although consensus is lacking, faculty evaluations are widely used by administrators in such matters as promotions, tenure, and merit increases. Studies of college students'…

If one assumes that the purpose of education is to change student behavior as a result of some definite course of instruction, then an objective of educational research should be to determine what procedures or techniques best produce the desired behavioral changes. If a course has been effective, then there could be a large number of components…

Modules, Audio-Tutorials, and Contracts are the three components of an integrated system of instruction which has transformed a traditional junior college into a community-based, performance-oriented people's college. This method individualizes instruction, reduces attrition, and virtually eliminates "D" and "F" grades. (DC)

The meanings of the words grammar and linguistics have undergone a multitude of changes in the last years, but teachers should continue to teach linguistics and formal grammar in the schools. (JH)

A description of ecologically valid, authentic, and integrated performance-based assessment instruments of different lengths was undertaken to measure the extent by which students meet Connecticut's Common Core of Learning (CCL) objectives. The description focuses on the students' knowledge and general understanding of science and mathematics;…

Preschool and first-grade children's story production was studied. Participants were 96 children who were asked to relate stories about two familiar events: baking cookies and taking a trip to the beach. Story events were depicted in line drawings in a coloring book. Half the sample was assigned to a preview condition in which children narrated…

There is a paucity of information on college outcomes of Native Americans, matriculation and retention rates, factors that contribute to institutional holding power, and barriers to Native American achievement. This paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey of 79 two- and four-year colleges and universities that serve the largest…

This document is the first volume of a two-volume resource guide to help states and localities take advantage of new Federal initiatives to increase services to youth under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). It summarizes the performance management principles and options available to program administrators identified in discussion papers…

This issue of "ETS Policy Notes" discusses gender differences in educational achievement. The first article--"The Gender Gap in Education: How Early and How Large?"--discusses the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which first measures achievement at age 9 years. Gender differences at that age are generally…

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…

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…

In order to evaluate the most effective delivery format for providing gifted/talented education, 247 elementary students in gifted programs in Evansville, Indiana, were divided into experimental students, who received instruction in self-contained classrooms of fellow gifted students, and control students, who received instruction in a pull-out…

This paper describes the first year of a 2-year Diploma Nursing Program for American Indians that incorporated a humanistic learning component. The program was offered by the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology, Kelsey Campus, and was delivered off-site in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Humanistic practices were introduced to…