An administrative change in faculty hiring in a continuing education department was assessed in five ways, concluding that the adult education program improved, the number of scheduled courses increased, students evaluated teachers more highly, anecdotal information and a commissioned survey showed policy changes, and a campus poll reflected…

It is proposed that video materials for French language instruction help illustrate two closely related aspects of the foreign language, linguistic and cultural. Guidelines for video materials selection are offered, common pitfalls are noted, and principles used by a French applied linguistics group to develop a series of materials are outlined.…

This study examined the academic performance of gifted students (especially female and ethnic minority students) moving from elementary to secondary education. Although no differences were found for female students, ethnic minority students took fewer advanced level classes and had lower grade point averages than did other gifted students. (DB)

Describes results of a survey of members of the Association of Research Libraries that was conducted to determine what procedures are followed to obtain current reference books in foreign languages and to assess the libraries' satisfaction with those procedures. Standing order plans are discussed, and proposals to improve reviewing sources are…

Suggests that some Australian schools in the 1980s took up too enthusiastically what may be called the Effortless Theory of Learning to Read. Describes how Paired Reading can work and what can go wrong with such instruction. (RS)

Argues for the importance of authenticity in children's picture-book folktales. The need for source notes, authors' and publishers' responsibility to provide them, and librarians' responsibility to consider them when selecting, using, and reviewing folktales are stressed. Source acknowledgment practices are explained, and examples with…

The article explains the role of feedback and biofeedback in speech therapy; identifies speech parameters that can be modeled by current systems (e.g., pitch, intensity, voice quality, and articulatory accuracy); and describes selected microcomputer-based speech production biofeedback systems that are available. An appendix provides sources. (DB)

This paper describes computer-based optical character recognition (OCR) systems, focusing on their components (the computer, the scanner, the OCR, and the output device); how the systems work; and features to consider in selecting a system. A list of 26 questions to ask to evaluate systems for potential purchase is included. (JDD)

Participation of minorities and females in secondary-school courses in six school districts in Ontario during 1988-89 was studied to determine who benefited from courses and develop a comprehensive and fine-grained manner for reporting results for any combination of group-characteristic data. In all, 2,308 students responded to a mailed…

Discusses how the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides the disabled greater physical access to buildings, buses, and communications, as well as greater access to the job market. Emphasizes the advantages of hiring disabled workers because of their determination to overcome their handicaps, and suggests that their inclusion in the…

A strategy for postgraduate admissions decisions based on employee recruitment and selection practices is described. Research at Otago University (New Zealand) concerning the predictive ability of the Graduate Management Admission Test is presented. An alternative strategy, Qualified Random Selection, is presented. (SK)

States that students struggling to find ways of establishing independence need support from home, school, and community. Suggests books and activities suitable for classroom use dealing with moving, being different, money, family concerns, and death. (PRA)

This article draws on experience from Delaware FIRST, a model demonstration project utilizing family assessment for overall project evaluation and program planning for parents and professionals. Instrument selection processes, administration procedures, families's reactions to the process, and usefulness of family assessments in project evaluation…

Presented are the recommendations of the Committee to Develop Guidelines for Literacy on the selection of appropriate learning media for visually handicapped students. Sixteen basic principles are listed as the basis for future development of more complete guidelines. The recommendations stress that equal access to education implies equal access…

Surveyed 637 American Psychological Association counseling psychologists about their vocational assessment practices. Found that 56% of respondents provided vocational assessment services. Respondents most frequently recommended that graduate students in counseling psychology be trained in Strong Interest Inventory (SII). Respondents most…