Examines the role of "routines" and grammatical patterns in first and second language acquisition by children and adults, specifically with regard to syntactic structures. (Author/AM)

Describes the results of an extensive polling of students enrolled in the majority of courses offered by history and political science faculty at Nassau Community College, with regard to their satisfaction with the course, the teaching and examination techniques, and the curriculum. Provides student-opinion data for departmental planning. (TP)

Options examined were: programmed instruction, computer-assisted instruction, modular instruction, contingency management and contracting, personalized system of instruction, individually prescribed instruction, large lecture, and lecture-discussion. Results indicated differences in exposure to options and among areas of concentration. (Author/LBH)

Analysis of the performance of 257 adult English-as-a-second-language students on six language tests (multiple choice, cloze, listening, reading, structure) indicated that age was a significant factor on listening and structure tests and high school graduation affected performance on all tests but one listening test. (Author/CB)

Reported is a survey designed to assess the relationship between essential competencies as perceived by faculty, and job needs as perceived by graduates of the agronomy department at Pennyslvania State University. Results indicated that while various competencies were valued differently, raters did not disagree on what were important competencies.…

The relationship between characteristics of the preclinical curriculum and institutional performance on the Part I examination of the National Board of Medical Examiners at U.S. medical schools was analyzed. Total scheduled hours per week was the single curriculum characteristic having a positive and significant relationship with performance.…

Six evaluation methods are discussed: student ratings, colleague evaluations, definitions of good teaching, teacher-designed examinations, evaluation of research and scholarship, and the politics of evaluation. (Author/MLW)

A study found that the physical attractiveness of a dental school teacher affected the student's opinion of teaching effectiveness, regardless of the student's sex, with effectiveness ratings correlating with pleasing appearance. (MSE)

Three studies with college students in educational psychology courses examined the relationship between achievement, effort, and perceived ability within a mastery learning contest. In no study did it appear that students reduced effort because of the threat of failure or that expending effort led to lower estimates of ability. (Author/BS)

Knowledge and perceived utility of behavioral methods were surveyed in a sample of 107 direct-care staff members in an institution for persons with mental retardation or psychiatric disabilities. Results indicated that behavioral methods were generally considered useful, but the overall knowledge level concerning such methods was low. (Author/KM)

This study attempted to identify, by contrasting examples of junior high school math teachers' styles and teaching effectiveness, context-specific teacher activity structures and behaviors that effectively begin an instructional session. Methodology and results are discussed. (Author/JL)

Preferences of 40 nonretarded children, aged 7-12, for 40 mildly mentally retarded schoolmates were assessed before and after participating in a cooperative game together. Participation improved nonretarded children's preferences for and attitudes toward their retarded peers, regardless of the level of interaction permitted or the performance…

A British university's experience has shown that, with appropriate software and management methods, most of the practical problems in using student questionnaires to evaluate courses can be overcome. (MSE)

The University of Queensland's use of organizational theory to incorporate student evaluations of instruction into annual faculty evaluations and tenure and promotion decisions as a means of planned institutional change is discussed. (MSE)

All postsecondary institutions in Tennessee have the opportunity to earn an annual budget supplement for instruction from the state if certain criteria, based on educational outcomes, are obtained. A comprehensive assessment program at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville is described. (MLW)