This study uses data from a national survey of principals of public schools with a 7th grade to document and analyze the variation in the types of marks and evaluations included on report cards issued to young adolescents in the United States. The analyses examine the prevalence of report card entries of various types and the antecedents and…

In order for a college to thrive in the education/training situation likely to prevail in the 1990s, it may need to move from its existing management structure--which is probably hierarchical--to an alternative management structure. A hierarchical structure has some strengths, such as a clear delineation of responsibilities, the division of work…

The sociology of education is concerned with the study of groups of people within educational institutions. This book analyzes the sociology of American education from a historical viewpoint. The chapters in the book derive from social theory, the sociology of organizations, the sociology of work and professions, and the study of class, race, and…

A study involving 55 elementary schools and 18 secondary schools was undertaken to examine the relationships among teachers' perceptions of school organizational coupling structures, school environmental robustness, and three school effectiveness measures (school organizational effectiveness, school achievement, and average daily attendance). The…

Using information gathered through a study funded by the New Zealand Minister of Education, this document examines the history and implementation of the New Zealand government's 1:20 teacher-pupil ratio policy first set in motion in 1985, pupil progress associated with the policy, and related literature about class size. The following papers, each…

Six major topics in the recent literature on class size concern the relation of class size to: (1) children's achievement; (2) other child variables, such as pupils' attitudes and behavior; (3) teacher variables, such as satisfaction and stress; (4) organization and instruction; (5) cost-effectiveness; and (6) the unique characteristics of small…

In spring 1988, a survey was conducted of the student body at Cumberland County College (CCC) to obtain insight into students' perceptions of student activities programs at the college, the characteristics of participants in these activities, the activities students would like to see offered, and the most convenient times. A random sample of 202…

Recent educational reform initiatives have caused the state to examine its role in regulation of schools, and the current regulatory processes have been found to be in need of revision. The current system, in which the state grants "recognition" to schools that meet its standards based on whether they meet a rigidly defined set of…

These proceedings contain 38 papers--23 in French and 15 in English--that were presented in 15 sessions entitled: (1) Theory and Practice in Library and Information Science: The Context (Plenary Session 1); (2) Teaching Archives; (3) The Development of Library and Information Science Education in Developing Countries; (4) Research and Teaching in…

The undergraduate course in agricultural ethics has been under development at Texas A&M University for four years. The course that has evolved is the result of discussion between the philosophy and agriculture departments. The course attempts to incorporate basic economic principles that affect agriculture as well as to tie these principles to…

Effective school board leadership based on involvement and example can effectively enhance teacher performance. The first of five strategies presented to encourage maximum performance is the "Science of Teaching Program," allowing staff members, in a six-day seminar format, the opportunity to be exposed to a framework for making wise professional…

Curriculum alignment (CA) refers to the congruence of all the elements of a school's curriculum: curriculum goals; instructional program--what is taught and the materials used; and tests used to judge outcomes. CA can be a very powerful can be a very powerful factor in improving schools. Although further research is needed on CA, there is…

This paper reviews the suitability at the kindergarten level of Philadelphia's new K-12 Standardized Curriculum in terms of concerns expressed by a group of Philadelphia kindergarten teachers. The teachers' objections spring from two different conceptions of early childhood education. According to one argument (rejected by the district but…

Issues concerning the federal role in financing research and development (R&D) and the impact of these policies on academic research are examined. Specific concerns are whether the Reagan Administration is militarizing research and implications of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) program. National Science Foundation data are examined,…

Based on responses of 53 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries to a 1986 Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) survey, this kit examines the changes in the organization and staffing of the collection development function in ARL libraries over the past 3 to 4 years. A concise summary discusses survey results, which…