The chapters in this edited volume cover a wide range of topics in theory, practice, and research and may be of interest to anyone concerned with the promotion of autonomy in language learning. There are 16 chapters divided into 5 parts. Part 1, "Setting the Agenda: Theory, Practice and Research," has 3 chapters: "Why Focus on Learning Rather than…

This report, part of the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study, provides information about the three-year persistence and degree attainment of students who began their postsecondary education in 1995-96, with a primary focus on students who started at less-than-4-year institutions. The report finds that many of the differences in the…

The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA) makes it possible to build human capital resources by providing employment services and training to youth and adult dislocated workers. Such services are particularly needed in the rural South, where those affected by welfare reform have few job skills or educational credentials. WIA calls for the…

The publication on the integration of content area and second language instruction, focusing on the situation in Finland, consists of nine essays and a bibliography. The essays include: "Education in a Second or Foreign Language. An Overview" (Kaj Sjoholm); "Foreign Language Content Teaching in Teacher Education at Abo Akademi…

This document shares lessons learned related to states' strategies to improve accountability. Case studies describe promising practices or particular strategies within an accountability system that have operationalized six standards identified by the National Association of State Boards of Education. The introduction discusses accountability and…

This paper discusses an innovative paradigm for looking at computer mediated/networked teaching, learning, and research known as BESTNET (Binational English and Spanish Telecommunications Network). BESTNET is functionally defined as an international community of universities and institutions linked by common educational goals and processes,…

Since information technology amounts to half of the typical U.S. firm's capital expenditures, a key concern is how AACSB (American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business)-accredited MBA (Masters of Business Administration) programs are educating their rising executives in technology management. This study details a content analysis of 45…

This survey, in which students are asked to rank 49 items on a 5-point scale, was first introduced in spring 1991. A total of 784 students responded to the survey. Survey items addressed four primary areas: college services, instructional topics, campus environment/college activities, and student views of Howard Community College (Maryland),…

This is a report on the Non-Award-Bearing continuing Education (NABCE) program, funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) between 1995 and 1998. Over 3 years, 5 National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) staff undertook a series of visits to 20 sample projects and read project documentation; in addition, 3…

This handbook provides guidelines to assist North Dakota educators who are developing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities. It is presented in four sections. The first section highlights the major changes brought about by the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), including…

This study, conducted for the Mayor's Advisory Task Force on the City University of New York (CUNY) in 1998 and 1999, was charged with reviewing and making recommendations regarding: (1) the uses of city funding by CUNY; (2) the effects of open admissions and remedial education on CUNY's capacity to provide high-level college courses; (3)…

This theme issue of Basic Education contains five articles on rural schools. "Small Schools: A Political Irony" (Marty Strange) notes the current enthusiasm among education reformers for small schools and the evidence of their effectiveness. Given this context, the question is posed as to why rural communities where small schools are…

This document highlights the school-to-careers (STC) partnerships connecting workplace experiences to classroom learning to prepare students for successful employment in the home building industry. First, the current state of the home building industry is reviewed. Next, the following organizations and employers are profiled: (1) the National…

This report includes comments and recommendations from a group of consultant-evaluators at the North Central Accreditation Commission (NCA), assessing different student learning evaluation techniques utilized by 440 higher education institutions, including 162 two-year colleges. Recommendations include linking the assessment of student learning…

A study examined English-dominant and Spanish-dominant students' perceptions of opportunities to communicate in science and mathematics classrooms. A survey was administered to 207 Mexican American secondary students who attended a summer enrichment program in mathematics and science at a university on the Texas-Mexico border. The students were…