This digest describes the organization of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and what is included in a typical NAEP assessment. The way in which the NAEP selects students for assessments and how the assessments are used are discussed. The NAEP is a congressionally mandated project of the National Center for Education…

The publication summarizes a report on gerontology instruction in American institutions based on a 1985-1986 survey of over 3000 campuses. The summary examines previous knowledge of gerontology instruction and explains the purpose for the national survey, its design and goals, the questionnaires used and the data derived from them, and how the…

The state profiles contained in this document are based on a 1989 survey of statewide or systemwide approaches to assessment and outcomes measurement in postsecondary education. All 50 states, the territory of Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia are included. A common format provides information on the following aspects: origins of the…

No issue in schools and communities today commands the concern and urgency of the U.S. public as much as the dangers of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among youth. This guide therefore provides descriptive information on the variety of surveys of student alcohol and other drug use currently available, and delineates the issues involved in…

The assessment of student progress ("value added") between entering and leaving a college or university is important in any evaluation of an institution's effectiveness. In assessing progress, five propositions are worth noting. First, the assessment should deal with several dimensions of student growth, not knowledge alone. Second,…

Suggestions and guidelines for using the Bureau of the Census' Current Population Survey (CPS) files are provided. CPS is based on the civilian component of a national probability sample of households and is conducted by the Bureau of the Census. The survey gathers employment data on a continuing basis, as well as supplemental information on such…

Some aspects of the field of lexicology in general, and of English lexicology in particular, are examined in light of current linguistic theory. Definitions of lexicology, its role in linguistics, the concept and nature of lexical competence, the relationship of grammar and lexicon, and the process of lexicalization are reviewed. Conversion and…

Recommendations are made for data processing procedures for the National Center for Education Statistics' (NCES) Common Core of Data survey program. Data are anticipated from about 16,000 local education agencies and 85,000 schools in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 7 territories. These recommendations concern editing and verification…

The Austin (Texas) Independent School District's Office of Research and Evaluation revised its surveying procedures in 1982. To reduce the demands on teachers and administrators, various surveys were consolidated and administered on a regular basis. Teachers and administrators were surveyed every fall and spring, high school students in winter,…

This report is the result of a project which analyzed the current collection of statistics from academic, public, and school libraries by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and by state agencies and prepared recommendations for a more efficient and effective national data collection system. Current data collection methods are…

The problem of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Europe and public health measures that can be taken to reduce the spread of infection are discussed. These guidelines cover: the magnitude of the problem in Europe, the virus and its mode of transmission, major clinical features of the disease, laboratory tests, possibilities of…

The Multiphased Need Assessment for Program Decisions (MAP) was designed to inform decision makers of a large urban school district concerning the need for early childhood programs in the community. The goals were to indicate the types of programs desired by the community; to bring together public school preschool experts; and to coordinate…

This publication is designed to increase the skills and knowledge of practicing human resource staff, private sector decision makers, and university students preparing for careers in the human resources field in the use of labor market and occupational information for policymaking and planning. Chapter 1 reviews human resource issues, concepts and…

The Value-Added Program at Northeast Missouri State University is discussed. The value-added approach emphasizes the use of existing resources to enhance student learning, as well as the evaluation of student learning and personal development through regular assessment. To indicate the need for a value-added approach, the current crises…

This document includes invited papers written for the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Elementary/Secondary Education Data Redesign Project. Early in 1985, NCES began a thorough review of its data collection program. The purpose of the review was to address questions of the suitability, scope, reliability, and timeliness of…