In discussing assessment and its applicability to the needs of Spanish-speaking students, several types of testing approaches are needed. This paper focuses on the use of comprehensive assessment offered by multiple matrix sampling techniques. (SW)

A survey of parents in six different school settings was conducted to determine the status of their knowledge about college admissions requirements, costs, how they plan to meet those costs, and their knowledge of financial aid. Results show a lack of knowledge but a desire to learn. (Author/MLW)

Analyzed data from standardization sample of 1981 Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) to determine relationships of WAIS-R intelligence quotients (IQs) to demographic variables upon which sample was stratified. Found significant differences in mean IQs due to race and education level; sizeable differences for occupational groups;…

University of Oklahoma Libraries conducted a cost study of circulation service-desk operations. Using percentages of staff time occupied in particular tasks, pay rates, indirect costs, and overhead, total costs were computed on task-by-task basis. Information served as basis for reorganization of work assignments and revision of staff scheduling.…

Practical considerations associated with local norms development are discussed. A local norming project administering the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised to 398 elementary Mexican--American children is presented in detail. The utility of local norms and their interpretation is discussed in the context of this local project. (Author/BW)

This "Technical Guide" describes the methodology and concepts used to measure and grade the performance of the 50 states in the higher education arena. Part I presents the methodology for grading states and provides information on data collection and reporting. Part II explains the indicators that comprise each of the graded categories.…

Using data from the 1993 and 2003 Fall Staff Surveys, a component of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), this report examines the change in the number and composition of staff in U.S. postsecondary institutions and the change in average salaries of full-time staff between fall 1993 and fall 2003. Over the decade, the…

This study investigated the relationship between instructional use of handheld graphing calculators and student achievement in Algebra 1. Three end-of-course test forms were administered (without calculators) using matrix sampling to 458 high-school students in two suburban school districts in Oregon and Kansas. Test questions on two forms were…

This paper presents a number of arguments for the increased importance of within-state district-level data in systematic assessments in the organizational structure of schools as educational institutions. The major question is whether the Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) should shift its focus toward more macro-institutional district level…

The Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) is an integrated system of surveys of public and private schools, school districts, school administrators, and teachers conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). This collection contains papers related to the SASS presented at meetings of the American Statistical Association in August…

The National Household Education Survey (NHES) is a data collection effort of the National Center for Education Statistics that collects and publishes data on the condition of education in the United States. The NHES is designed to provide information on issues that are best addressed by contacting households rather than institutions. It is a…

Multiple discrimination problems were presented concurrently to retarded children for 1, 2, 4, or 8 massed trials a day for a total of 16 trials per problem. (Editor)

Paper demonstrates that the standardized reading test scores of test-naive second-grade students can be significantly raised through instruction and practice in content-independent test-taking techniques. (Author)

An examination of student evaluation of course quality showed student evaluation to be the most powerful input variable. Lecturer and textbook evaluation had significant effects on whether the student would recommend the course to others. The quality of instruction in introductory courses has impact on future enrollment plans. (Author/MLW)

Provides an OEAGLS (Oceanic Education Activities for Great Lakes Schools) activity showing how biological sampling can be taught using acquatic examples in a "dry lab." The activity, requiring use of mathematical/observational skills, simulates a plankton sample and stimulates discussions of how environmental/human factors can cause…