To obtain rural school superintendents' assessment of research needs, questionnaires were sent in 1986 to 752 superintendents from schools with less than 1,000 K-12 student population. The questionnaires, adapted from the research agenda of the Rural Education Association (REA), consisted of 51 research topics grouped under 9 thematic categories.…

The report examines the situation, prospects, and needs of Latin American youth in the context of changes which the region has undergone in recent decades and in the face of difficulties of the present and future. The report is divided into 11 sections, each containing 2 to 4 subtopics. The sections include: "Demographic Structure and…

The validity and reliability of the Institutional Performance Survey (IPS) as an institutional self-study instrument were assessed, with a focus on four types of validity (content, face, construct, and concurrent) and three types of reliability (test-retest, internal consistency, and rater reliability). It was found that IPS appears to reasonably…

Through efforts of concerned, knowledgeable, and culturally aware individuals, recreational programs which may help the special needs of Native Americans can be designed and implemented. Knowledge of tribal similarities and differences, cultural values, diverse life-styles, tribal beliefs, socioeconomic status, and leisure pursuits is paramount in…

Teachers and administrators in a midwestern school district met to assess the reasons for negative attitudes toward the district's staff inservice program. They agreed that the program's goals were too broad, the sessions were (for the most part) designed to motivate teachers to try but not to master a particular teaching skill or strategy, the…

Development of marketing plans can assist not only public school districts in meeting recent competition but will also improve educational processes, increase revenue, and restore confidence in schools. This collection of articles describes a new role for school administrators--particulary for business managers: administrators as "entrepreneurs."…

With the concerns of off-campus students and faculty in mind, the Wyoming Academic Deans Council sponsored a conference to examine the issues of library services to these populations. Personnel from the Wyoming State Library and several public libraries also attended the 2-day conference. This document comprises the full text of six papers…

A needs sensing confirmation study was conducted to identify the Appalachia Educational Laboratory's (AEL) long term research and development program needs and provide guidelines for its seven member states' activities. The AEL Board of Directors, individuals serving in similar positions as the Board members, and a sample of non-public school…

Described as an "action" document, this guide for the development of high school English programs emphasizes the processes of curriculum development, rather than the product, and strongly advocates local control over curriculum development. Part I suggests the following five-step procedure for developing new curricula and for revising/updating…

The Appalachia Educational Laboratory (AEL) conducted an assessment of microcomputer-related needs for basic mathematics in the four-state areas of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia in 1984-85. The primary input came from teachers from each of the states who participated in a needs conference in their home state. When each of the…

This report, one of four studies on roles of participants in high school change, presents data about activities of department heads in 30 schools throughout the nation. The report analyzes background research on the subject as well as popular perceptions, perceptions of teachers and administrators, and perceptions of department heads themselves…

A conceptual framework for educational outcomes (the Outcomes Structure) developed at the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) is addressed in seven papers. The first five papers consider the Outcomes Structure and its general application; the remaining two papers concern the applications of the Outcomes Structure in…

As a first step in developing a comprehensive professional development program and operational activities at Gateway Technical Institute (GTI) in Wisconsin, a faculty and staff computer training survey was conducted. A questionnaire was distributed to 411 faculty and staff members to establish a general interest level; gauge the current level of…

The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, whose stated objective is to provide bilingual French-English services, has established a training program in French as a second language for health care professionals. The program was designed to provide health care providers with a minimum level of communicative competence in specific job-related…

As directed by the Florida State Legislature, the Postsecondary Education Commission examined Florida's needs in the area of nursing education. Following the executive summary, the introduction reviews the commission charge and activities. Major topics addressed include: the nursing profession (introduction, history, licensure, careers, and…