Missouri requires the testing of all eighth grade students on their competence in reading and language arts, mathematics, and government and economics. This statewide assessment is referred to as the Missouri Basic Essential Skills Test (BEST) and has been given in the spring of each year since 1978. A study was undertaken to determine which…

This investigation capitalizes upon the information processing models that depend upon measurement of latency of response to a mathematical problem and the decomposition of reaction time (RT). Simple two term addition problems were presented with possible solutions for true-false verification, and accuracy and RT to response were recorded. Total…

This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 18 titles deal with a variety of topics, including the following: (1) English language writing skills in Nigerian schools, (2) the effectiveness of writing as a counseling technique, (3) writing apprehension, (4) writing…

Guidelines for planning in higher education (which might have an application in Colombia) are described. Chapter 1 provides an expanded definition of higher education that includes noncollege channels to lifelong education and embraces all viable postsecondary education. Chapter 2 addresses current problems facing higher education, such as lack of…

Changes in the composition of faculty with regard to age, tenure status, number of new members, average salary, turnover rate, and percentage of nontenured faculty receiving tenure are of concern to university policy makers. As a result of developments, such as changes in the mandatory retirement age and the limited growth of universities,…

Now completing its second year, the Partnership for Rural Improvement (PRI) is a four year rural development program funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. Its fundamental purpose is the development of a linkage system connecting the research and development of knowledge about rural improvement with the dissemination and use of that knowledge.…

Dissertations in the fields of environmental, conservation, and outdoor education are listed in this document. Many of the titles were taken from "Dissertation Abstracts" through November, 1975 with the remainder of the titles coming to the editors' attention from other sources. Each listing gives the author's name, title of work,…

To improve the accuracy of college placement, Rasch scoring and person-fit statistics on the Comparative Guidance and Placement test (CGP) was compared to the traditional right-only scoring. Correlations were calculated between English and mathematics course grades and scores of 1,448 entering freshmen on the reading, writing, and mathematics…

This document contains an overview of the Appalachia Educational Laboratory (AEL) model for Experience-Based Career Education (EBCE). (Descriptions of two other EBCE models are included in ERIC documents CE 018 447 and CE 018 449.) Divided into thirteen sections, this document highlights some of the important features of the model and includes…

A system which used pupil outcomes to estimate the predictive validity of assessments of teacher outcomes was field tested in a performance-based teacher education program at Florida State University. Three levels of teaching competency were assessed: (1) competencies associated with cognitive identification of appropriate decisions for…

Three essays are presented as part of a research project on education and the labor market. The aim of the project is to study long-term relations between education and productivity, with special attention to Swedish higher education. The first essay, by Mary Jean Bowman, deals with some broad issues in the philosophy and methodology of…

A broad spectrum of methodologies pertinent to studies of schooling effects are reviewed. Methodological issues and problems are addressed according to a three-dimensional conceptual framework: (1) indicators of schooling effects; (2) study approaches; and (3) units of analysis. Problems and uses of status attainment and difference scores as…

Three broad statements summarizing nine axioms underlie a conceptualization of the character of behavioral and social research: (1) social and behavioral science is inherently reflexive, (2) ethics and epistemology are inseparable, and (3) the inherent complexity of behavioral and social phenomena must be reflected in the models developed to guide…

In the first section of this collection of essays on part-time faculty development, Carol Eliason outlines the problems inherent in current staff development practices and a systems approach to their solution. Then, David Harris voices concerns and challenges from the college president's perspective. Richard Smith explains the benefits of…

Key issues pertinent to federal support of nursing education and training are considered. Policy options for nurse training include: support for programs to increase aggregate supply, support for programs to improve geographic distribution of nurses, support for programs to increase the availability of nurses with advanced training, and support…