Discusses major obstacles to excellence in community colleges: failure to develop adequate means for systematic, periodic, performance appraisal; failure to evaluate individual courses and programs periodically and systematically; failure to commit adequate time and resources to continued personnel development; lack of an adequate decision-making…

Describes a study of the decision-making processes of nontraditional students at a public, suburban community college regarding the critical life incidents which preceded the decision to return to college, information used in searching for a college, and factors influencing college choice, as well as information about students impressions and…

The processes used by the University of Washington to meet severe budget reductions mandated by the state are described. A planning philosophy of smaller size and higher quality was adopted, and program elimination occurred consensually, with faculty and student participation. (Author/MLW)

Outlines a conceptual framework for investigating distance education students' attitudes toward education and describes the results of a study. Concepts discussed are socialization, including influences of the educational institution, work, family, and friends; professionalization; feelings of power and control over work and career; and reasons…

Two articles point out the importance of students' collaboration in the computer lab. The first describes two students' use of the word processor to write a story collaboratively. The second analyzes the dialogue of two students playing a computer game, showing that such games help students become better at planning and decision making. (ARH)

An Alabama school district implemented a thinking skills instruction program called Talents Unlimited through inservice education. Both workshop ratings by teachers and pretest-posttest scores by middle school and high school students suggested that Talents Unlimited can change teachers' understandings about higher order thinking skills and…

At the policy level, the World Bank and other aid agencies evidence a practical orientation, emphasizing problems described as solvable by expertise and improved use of capital. In reality, tension exists between educational planning based on positivistic, technical rationality and political interaction grounded in situational considerations. (JHZ)

Examines some of the fears, frustrations, and misconceptions of library staff and patrons that hamper the effective use of computers in libraries. Strategies that library administrators could use to alleviate stress are outlined, including staff participation in the automation process, well-designed workstations, and adequate training for staff…

Examines factors involved in decisions regarding adoption of microcomputers for administrative and instructional use in early childhood education. A study of 80 administrators in Illinois is described and analyzed that considered relevant past experiences, future expectancies, openness to change, and social support as decision-making influences.…

Investigates teachers' perceptions in two studies regarding extent to which various teaching methods are differentially appropriate for various types of students. Results of both studies indicate teachers do differentiate among appropriateness of various methods for different students, and their decisions tend to agree with existing research on…

Presents a review of microcomputer-based software packages that have been designed for Operations Research, Management Science, and Production and Operations Management. Listed for each package are price for student use, minimum system requirements needed to run the package, and maximum capability constraints. (PK)

Experiences in coping with an acquired immune deficiency (AIDS)-struck child demonstrated that the public can be trusted to be responsible if people are informed promptly and fully, and they see school officials acting quickly, decisively, and confidently. (MLF)

The article describes employability assessment and intervention packages recently developed by the Arkansas Research and Training Center in Vocational Rehabilitation. Counselors can incorporate the employability products into transitional services for disabled students to increase social, vocational, problem-solving, decision-making, on-the-job…

Questionnaires to determine the factors affecting the choice of practice were mailed to graduates of the University of Oklahoma Tulsa Medical College and their spouses. The results showed that graduates reared in large communities chose similar-sized communities as practice sites and placed high priority on their spouses' desires (Author/MLW)

At the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, a study was designed that graphically illustrated to beginning students that unconscious sociocultural stereotypes may influence clinical decision-making. Students were shown a videotape depicting five simulated patients, each with the same physical complaint. (Author/MLW)