This Issue Brief presents data from two surveys conducted through the National Center for Education Statistics' (NCES) Fast Response Survey System (FRSS)a 1999 survey of public school Internet access and a 1999 survey of public school teachers use of computers and the Internetto examine whether teachers who report having classroom access and…

This 20-minute videotape features 2 schools that have maintained a school culture based on using myriad data sources and processes to fuel their school-improvement activities. In the video the voices of teachers and administrators in each school articulate the ways they have used data to improve student achievement. They highlight numerous data…

The teacher's guide of "Assessing Toxic Risk" aims to help students conduct scientific research on relevant environmental topics. Using the research protocols in this book, students learn to carry out experiments known as bioassays. In this way, the toxicity of substances is evaluated by measuring its effect on living things. The text is…

This proceedings document is comprised of the 12 papers, panel presentations, and work shares presented at a 1997 conference on institutional research. The papers are: (1) "What Does Accountability in Higher Education Mean to You?" (William R. Dyson, Andrew G. De Rocco, John R. Doyle, and Merle W. Harris); (2) "The University of…

Providing the latest data, this report on school safety presents a mixed picture: while overall crime has declined, violence, gangs, and drugs remain at some schools. Victimization at school declined from 1995-99, though rates for fighting and weapon threats remain steady. Students seem more secure, and gang activity decreased; however, in grades…

Describes the Personalized Admissions and Advisement System introduced at Triton College, Illinois, to administer student recruitment, admissions, advising, and initial orientation. The article compares the old and the new systems and points out the benefits of the computer-assisted method, particularly as related to speed and ease of data…

H. S. Bhola's CLER (configurations, linkages, environments, resources) Model for planned change was used to improve recruitment techniques at an adult learning center. The model organized data about the target audience, and recruitment increased sharply. A follow-up study to determine why students dropped out of the program concluded that…

Describes a monitoring project by the New York Board of Regents and State Education Department to provide insights into financial problems of independent institutions. Identifies institutions that need assistance and the kinds of assistance needed and provides a basis for protecting sensitive data involving institutions where closure is…

This paper discusses the future growth of academic computing and outlines proposals that (1) recommend all curriculums and (2) advocate increased computer knowledge by faculty members. As computing expands in the future, graduates will be required to possess knowledge beyond the computer appreciation level and approach the computer fluency stage.…

Describes a mathematical investigation centered on collecting and analyzing data in a scientific setting. The first experiment teaches the basics of data collection--students should be able to identify variables that might have affected experimental results. The second activity includes designing an experiment to control for these variables. The…

Presents an extended activity consisting of a sequence of tasks organized so that students can visit several mathematical concepts concurrently and explore connections among them. Students build solids using bendable straws to form the skeletons of various polyhedra. Topics covered include tables and charts, algebraic expressions, surface area,…

Argues that the claims made in defense of IQ tests as measures of innate intelligence are unreasonable and false. Attempts to establish what the views of the vanguard of IQ testers are, their origin, how IQ tests have been applied and what they consist of. Aims to show the incorrectness of those views, uses, and interpretations. (200 references)…

Examines four groups of readers: second-language (L2) intermediate; L2 advanced; first-language (L1) Japanese; and L1 English) when they processed and recalled two passages varying in degree of causal coherence. Findings indicate that L1 readers used much of their attention for higher level processes, whereas L2 readers paid more attention to…

Describes a study conducted of adult distance learners involved in a graduate special education teacher education program delivered via televised instruction. Focus group methodologies and data analysis found instructor skills, interaction, group dynamics, and site facilitators to be critical elements in effective televised instruction. Discusses…

This article examines the dearth of published research on effective practices for teaching gifted students in general education settings. Suggestions for defining the effects that should be measured are provided, as well as guidelines for technically adequate measures and procedures for gathering and analyzing the necessary data. (Author/PB)