This article addresses criterion-referenced vs. norm-referenced tests. Its purpose is to help the reader become acquainted with the uses, accountability, advantages, and statistical differences between these two types of tests. (Author)

The extent to which income and race, viewed independently, affect selection factors is examined, based on data collected by the Association of American Medical Colleges on applicants to the 1976-77 entering class. Factors associated with race had a far more significant influence on applicants' credentials. (Author/LBH)

On one side of this controversy is the belief that goals should be established and funds distributed by qualified practicing scientists; on the other, that basic science should be accountable to the legislature and electorate. This dilemma is discussed in terms of agricultural and biomedical research. (LBH)

Examines the importance of defining terms in the process of gathering statistical data. Cites the example of the debate over the number of children abducted by strangers. Concludes that statistics are part of the persuasive rhetoric of social problem promotion and have social consequences. (FMW)

Native French speakers (N=56) were critical of French slang expressions spoken by French youths. A previous study found that the native speakers considered Americans' use of the same slang even less acceptable, suggesting the need for careful consideration of teaching such terms in French-language classrooms. (Author/CB)

Provides an integrative review of experimental treatment studies on the teaching of composition in the past two decades. Assesses the effectiveness of different modes of instruction and different focuses of instruction. Outlines the implications of the results for policy at local, state, and national levels and for future research. (RDN)

Community colleges must often analyze and report rates for outcomes, such as transfer to four-year colleges. A single, summary rate may be an invalid measure of its achievement in the transfer goal if the summary rate ignores the real difference in enrollment composition at different institutions. California's community colleges embody a very…

This is the third annual edition of the regional profiles of higher education. As in previous editions, this report sets out a range of data on the pattern of higher education in each of the nine regions of England. The regional dimension of higher education continues to grow in importance. Higher education in England retains its core academic and…

In fall 1995, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) conducted a survey of advanced telecommunications in private schools to provide baseline data on computer and Internet availability, and allow for comparisons with public schools. To revisit the issue of computer and Internet availability in private schools and measure changes since…

This paper uses data from the 1990 and 2000 Census of Population and the Census 2000 Supplemental Survey to examine how U.S. cities are being reshaped by immigration. Overall, immigrants have a similar socioeconomic profile to that of persons of the same race/ethnicity born in the United States. Among African Americans, immigrants are doing better…

A learning environment is described in which students collaborate in small groups to develop screen movies in which they use a statistical cognitive tool to interpret published research and to demonstrate their understanding of least squares statistical concepts. Evaluation data are reported, which indicate that, although some groups thrive in…

"ARL Statistics 1997-98" is part of a series of annual publications that describe collections, staffing, expenditures, and service activities for the 122 member libraries of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL). The first section of the report includes several illustrative charts and discusses service trends (1991-1998); the…

This report presents tables showing statistical data on enrollment, degrees, conferred, faculty, and financing for West Virginia institutions of higher education. The tables are intended to depict characteristics of West Virginia's 25 colleges and universities, including five- and ten-year trends showing enrollment growth, and progress in such…

This report provides extensive statistical data on public higher education in Arkansas for the 1997-1999 biennium, as well as trends for the past several years. It also contains a detailed financial profile of each institution and presents a basis for comparative assessments of revenue sources and expenditure patterns. The report includes data on…

This report is part of an annual national survey that examines salaries of full-time teaching faculty in 54 selected academic disciplines. Data for the study were collected from a total of 296 public and 390 private four-year institutions from the baseline year of 1996-97 to the trend year of 1999-2000. This portion of the study covers salary data…