This digest describes datasets of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) that are related to rural education, discusses potential uses of NCES data, and offers practical tips for accessing these data. NCES has primarily two types of data; population data on the school universe and national surveys. Two population databases are the…

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), a congressionally mandated national assessment program, can provide valuable data to educational policy makers in Massachusetts and other New England states concerning the status of their educational reform initiatives and performance standards. The three purposes of this paper are: (1) to…

This policy paper is the second in a Southern Regional Educational Board (SREB) series on accountability reporting. This paper describes several problems states have encountered in their initial school report-card efforts, some of the lessons they have learned, and some of the questions that must be answered. Following the introduction, the first…

This review of the literature examines the relationship of information needs and uses and explores some of the factors that influence the relationship. The paper begins with a review of ways that the terms "information and information need" and "information use" have been defined in the literature. It then identifies and discusses three approaches…

A joint report by members of two Congressional Committees examined the proposed bill to carry out the National Sea Grant College Program Act and recommended that the bill be passed. The Sea Grant College Program Act authorizes appropriations for the National Sea Grant Program, which provides grants to support university-based marine research,…

The usefulness of the 1980 Census for planning in postsecondary education, and specifically in California, was assessed. Attention is directed to the use of past census data by higher education planners as well as the development of the 1980 Census. The geographic subunits covered by the 1980 Census that may be of use to postsecondary education…

Raters viewed a videotape of an interview with a patient after having read one of three types of pretherapy information about the patient. Raters then completed scales regarding patient's level of adjustment, psychic distress, amount of change, and success of therapy. Only ratings of pretherapy to posttherapy patient change varied. (Author)

Covers an experimental study designed to test the prevalence of specific judgemental rules in human information processing. See CS 703 555 for availability. (MH)

A logical approach to analyzing societal trends and to presenting the results of the analysis to policymakers is described. This is the trend impact matrix. (Author/WM)

Asserts that educators can use what is known about communication and the change process to design better ways of interesting teachers in improving their instructional practices and in helping them to do so. Proposes a dissemination/diffusion model. (Author/WM)

This paper describes the purpose of a national information policy in general, the process that led to the formation of such a policy in Zambia, and the requirements for its successful implementation. Particular attention is paid to the concept of information marketing. It is argued that such a concept would be an implementation requirement if…

The negative sequelae that relocation to a nursing home has on the elderly is well documented. This study evaluated the effects of stress reduction information on the newly admitted patients' state anxiety based on self-reported distress using the Stresses in Institutional Care Scale. Anxiety was assessed using the Anxiety State Scale of the…

This compilation consists of various letters and documents issued for public comment during 1986-1987 by the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) of the U.S. Department of Education, during its examination of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) system to determine any needed changes and improvements. This…

Designed for use by professionals interested in the field of environmental communications, this resource guide contains sources of information pertaining to employment opportunities especially in the area of written environmental communications. References are compiled under the headings of: (1) subject headings (listing key descriptors for…

In spring 1985, the Office of Student Outreach at William Rainey Harper College (WRHC) in Illinois initiated a study to determine the effectiveness of their responses to telephone and mail inquiries for information about the college. A survey was mailed to a sample of 420 inquirers, asking about their information needs, their evaluation and use of…