Assessing the self-esteem of students may be one way to evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs. To study the impact of an art-based program, middle and high school students completed the Self Esteem Inventory as well as intelligence and achievement measures. Results showed that self-esteem mean scores (both pre and post) were well…

This paper addresses the problems involved in the screening and retention of students in human service education. A review of the goals of these screening and retention processes is presented along with the identification and exploration of internal and external program variables affecting them. The open admissions policy of many institutions…

The development of procedures designed to provide quantitative assessments of quality in higher education institutions are reviewed. These procedures employ a systems framework and utilize quantitative data to compare institutions or programs of similar types with one another. Three major elements essential in the development of models focusing on…

The results of several cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of students at liberal arts colleges and other postsecondary institutions are reported to demonstrate that liberal arts education has beneficial effects not produced by any other kind of training. Chapters include: approaches to evaluating liberal education; measuring cognitive,…

This paper addresses the task of the family therapist who is called upon when remediation attempts between school and family fail to produce favorable results with a child identified as a problem pupil. The job of the therapist in dismantling the system that is detrimental to the child and reorganizing one that enhances development is discussed…

Teachers' guidebooks that accompanied commonly used kindergarten, first, and second grade language arts kits or textbooks were reviewed to determine what listening tasks and thinking skills were stressed. Five first grade, five second grade, and two kindergarten kits/textbooks were selected for review. Examination of these materials clearly…

The 10-day 1980 National Leadership Conference sponsored and administered by the American Youth Foundation, was held at Camp Miniwanca (Michigan) for 123 youth participants representing four cities (Indianapolis, Omaha, Kansas City, St. Louis). The theme was leadership (the leader as servant and guide who helps a group to achieve their ends,…

Employing experiential adventure activities to develop leadership skills of young people and teachers, the National Leadership Conference (NLC) program, held during a 10-day session at Camp Miniwanca in Michigan, is constructed from 5 distinctive elements: (1) high intensity orientation; (2) carefully structured learning experiences; (3)…

A perspective on quality in higher education suggests that standards and assumptions about quality that have been traditionally accepted for upper level colleges are not applicable to community colleges. It is proposed that quality standards be established for community colleges to reflect their unique mission and goals. The most distinctive…

This analysis presents the results of a 1978-79 survey of junior and senior high school students in Seattle, Washington regarding their educational aspirations, interests and attitudes. A description of the survey respondents indicates that response rates were low, particularly among blacks and Hispanics. Data were compiled in the following survey…

Information on research efforts concerning higher education in Sweden is presented. Questions that have been addressed by the Swedish research program in the past five years have included the long-term social effects of higher education activities, the knowledge traditions of higher education programs, and the conditions of research with and…

An external evaluation was conducted to assess the model for infusing career education and liberal arts education developed at William James College (Michigan). The primary purpose of the evaluation was to assess the broad impact of the career education project on William James College (WJC) and to measure specifically the extent to which WJC…

The benefits and broad perspectives that can result from higher education and the tension that exists between vocational and liberal education are addressed. It is suggested that this tension is powerfully related both to the content and the quality of higher education. The importance of introducing students to those themes of life that are…

A major goal of the National Rural Project's (NRP) Management Information System (MIS) is to aid the parents and educators of rural handicapped students in delivering quality educational services and fully implementing the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, PL 94-142. MIS tailors reports to the specific needs of three target audiences…

The extent to which the middle school becomes a true educational alternative is directly related to the ability of middle school educators and researchers to identify and investigate the developmental needs and learning capacities of students. Three important developmental characteristics of early adolescents are a high need for peer friendships,…