As standards-based instruction and the focus on accountability have grown over the last decade, technology's role has grown in importance. Research surrounding high-performing schools shows that there are four important uses of technology in these schools: (1) A student information system to store and manage data connected to students; (2) An…

This article describes and analyses the background and goals of students at the Finnish open university in the beginning of the twenty-first century. The material consists of statistics based on the student records of the Finnish open university in 2000 (n = 9080) and of the stories, educational autobiographies written by the adult learners (n =…

The use of standardized examinations as a factor in admission decisions in Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs is a customary practice at many universities. Aptitude testing of pre-service, recent baccalaureate recipients is a means of assessing continued academic success in a graduate program. However, we contend, a growing diversity…

The Data Quality Campaign (DQC) is a national, collaborative effort to encourage and support state policymakers to improve the collection, availability and use of high-quality education data and to implement state longitudinal data systems to improve student achievement. The campaign aims to provide tools and resources that will assist state…

In fall 2004, the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) officially launched its own customized version of the online Career Portfolio, originally developed by Florida State University (Lumsden and others, 2001). This launch represented the culmination of nearly sixteen months of planning and development by a multidisciplinary team comprising…

This study examines the relationship between high-stakes school accountability and its effects upon student test scores and school policies. The authors seek to understand the extent to which accountability sanctions and incentives for the poorest-performing schools in Florida explain subsequent changes in school practices and policies as well as…

This chapter examines lessons learned by states that are using student unit record (SUR) data to improve outcomes for community college students and recommends steps states can take to strengthen their use of SUR databases to benefit students and communities. (Contains 1 exhibit.)

Significant changes in administration of student records for Oregon students occurred as the result of House Bill 2062, which became effective in November 1993. This publication provides help to Oregon school personnel and patrons in the proper handling of student records and confidentiality as affected by that bill and other Federal and state…

Difficulties faced by homeless children include depression, low self-esteem, lack of sleep and nutrition, and feelings of shame and embarrassment. Challenges faced by schools in providing education to homeless children include: (1) keeping children in one school despite frequent family moves; (2) ensuring that children's health records are…

This report explains how student tracking systems work and why they are important. It is designed for British funding bodies, further education (FE) colleges, college staff, and software developers to introduce and support systems of student tracking. Chapter 1 provides background information on tracking and the FE sector. Chapter 2 discusses the…

It is common for information about students to be transferred from one learning institution to another or to some other location. The ease with which student records can be transferred and understood often depends on their design, the efficiency of the delivery system, and how the information is handled by the receiver. The Standardization of…

This document consists of forms used by student support services at Wichita State University (Kansas). All forms are computerized using PageMaker 6.0. Many of the forms are intended to be completed on the computer with information then incorporated into the database of current students. Forms are grouped into eight categories: (1) student…

This manual is designed for use with the Apple II microcomputer and software packages for the Microcomputer Vocational Education Reporting System 1.0 (MICRO-VERS). It is intended to aid local agencies in building and managing a database of information required by the State Board for reporting vocational program enrollment. An introduction…

Discusses major provisions of the Federal "Education Amendments of 1974," with emphasis on their implications for parents of school children. (Available for Subscription Information Department, Better Homes and Gardens, 1716 Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50336) (JG)