An advising workshop was conducted as an outreach activity. A significantly higher proportion of workshop advisors (75%) than controls (33%) reported making changes in their advising practices when polled six months later. Changes reported by advisors who participated in the workshop were also extensive. (Author)

A system for grading student work based on contracts is examined. Types of contracts, methods for controlling quality as well as quantity of work, advantages of the contract grading system, and the results of research into the use of grade contracts--including student reaction to the system--are some of the topics discussed. (JMP)

This article describes Speech Assisted Learning (SAL), a portable, interactive Braille learning station that combines synthesized speech, full-page paper Braille exercises, and bar-code technology. Findings from field-testing of SAL with 25 individuals with visual impairments (grades K-adult) and 12 teachers indicate students acquired new…

This article provides guidelines and strategies that educators can use to solicit feedback from students and their family members regarding their perceptions of their school's inclusion program. It also examines ways to address the concerns and issues raised by family members. A sample survey and questionnaire are included. (Contains references.)…

The Kirklees (England) local educational authority trained parents in the Paired Reading technique in which the tutee chooses the reading material and tutor and tutee read aloud together. Subjective feedback from parents, peer tutors, and teachers (2,521 questionnaires) showed that parents and peer tutors rated progress more positively than…

Most large public institutions rely on computers to pair roommates, but officials at Ohio State make the matches after considering students' habits, hobbies, and academic interests. Students' relationships with their roommates frequently determine whether they are happy at the university. (MLW)

Orientation at the graduate level can serve many functions such as reducing anxiety, familiarizing students with new academic challenges, and orienting students' spouses. It can also improve student retention, satisfaction, and success. Guidelines for developing programs responsive to graduate students' diverse needs are offered. (Author/MSE)

Responses from a random sampling of 435 (of 1,000) pharmacists who used articles in the "U.S. Pharmacist" that have been accredited for continuing education credit determined that more than 90 percent consider them a relevant, convenient, time-saving method for professional continuing education. (SK)

High school students (N=893) completed questionnaires on peer counseling program in these areas: characteristics of students who meet with peer counselor, types of problems students discuss in first meeting, satisfaction with peer counseling, and perceived helpfulness of the service. Found that girls and sophomores were heaviest users of peer…

State officers of secondary Distributive Education Clubs of America (n=142) expressed a high degree of satisfaction with the benefits of participation. Personal and professional development opportunities were experienced in the areas of leadership development, vocational understanding, civic consciousness, and social intelligence. (SK)

A national survey of 427 Association for the Advancement of Health Education (AAHE) members, was performed to establish a baseline satisfaction level, provide insight on needed services, and explore possible future directions for the association. Results are reported, and implications for long range association goals are discussed. (IAH)

This paper reports on a survey of parents of 29 British children who transferred to mainstream schools from special schools for pupils with moderate learning difficulties. Findings revealed greater satisfaction among parents and children where the children were transferred to a school using a mainly resource-based teaching model compared to…

Business and economics students in Russia (n=69), Poland (n=184), Yugoslavia (n=81), Bulgaria (n=32) and two Western countries (France--n=129, United States--n=140) responded to a survey. Western students were significantly more satisfied with their education (23% to 7.5%). Only 22% of Eastern Europeans considered faculty very knowledgeable; 52%…

Interviews with 56 British children (ages 9 to 11) attending schools for pupils with moderate learning difficulties identified two key areas of concern for these children: (1) teachers as a liked aspect of special and mainstream schools; and (2) problems handling playground relationships. Overall, the children were supportive of their special…

Discusses a study of how attributions and types of situations influence U.S. and Finnish undergraduates. Explains that both groups reacted to hypothetical situations. Reports that subjects experienced greatest pride when attributing achievements to effort or ability and greatest shame when attributing failure to lack of effort. (SG)