Compares 20 African-American rites of passage programs for adolescents, and considers the place of such rites for African Americans and their communities in current and future society. The adolescent rite of passage is a supervised developmental and educational process to assist young people in becoming adults. (SLD)

This study evaluated how public school districts collect, disaggregate, and analyze student outcome data. A survey was mailed to research directors and test directors responsible for assessments in 142 public school districts to determine if the districts have the capacity to analyze opportunity to learn (OTL) data, what their interest level is in…

Results of a study designed to explore the construct validity of the Change Facilitator Style Questionnaire (CFSQ) as a measure of the aspect of a principal's leadership style that includes leader behavior and combinations of behavior influenced by such things as belief systems, and knowledge and attitudes about leadership. The sample consisted of…

This newsletter presents a brief summary of central findings of a national survey designed to gather a systematic profile of the range and type of telecommunications activities being conducted by teachers for professional development or student learning. Responses were received from 550 of the 1,100 educators who were contacted through…

Results of a process evaluation of dropout prevention programs in the Leon County (Florida) school district during the school year 1989-90 are presented. Altogether, 11 dropout programs were operationalized in that school year. The methodology used for developing a problem survey among teachers and administrators, the results of the evaluation,…

The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a statewide content verification survey (CVS) of teachers to verify an initial set of System for Teaching and Learning Assessment and Review (STAR) teaching and learning components as being reasonable expectations for beginning and/or experienced teachers in Louisiana. The draft STAR was…

Arizona teachers and administrators (n=2,444) were surveyed to determine (1) use of standardized test scores; (2) teachers' perceptions of others' use of scores; (3) how schools prepare students to take tests; (4) conditions under which tests are given; and (5) views of current testing program effects. (SLD)

Study examined science methods courses and characteristics of instructors (n=65). Of the responding institutions, 24% had only a general methods course. Most science methods courses were for three credits. Instructors were mainly male with an average age of 50 years. Differences were found between three groups of faculty teaching science methods:…

This 1996 national survey tracked state efforts to create comprehensive career development and training systems for practitioners working in early care and education settings. Mail surveys were sent to 250 key informants and leaders nationwide. Part 1, "Introduction," states the goals of the study. Part 2, "Waves of Change,"…

As part of an ongoing evaluation of the Chelsea Public School System-Boston University (BU) partnership in Massachusetts, a survey was done of 165 teachers to determine their reactions to this effort at school reform and their opinions concerning several matters related to education in Chelsea and the Chelsea-BU partnership. A year and a half…

In summer 1994, a long-term follow-up study was conducted of 1989-90 graduates of career programs at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) in Kansas. A survey was mailed to 536 graduates, certificate holders, and students who left JCCC with marketable skills to assess their satisfaction with JCCC and their jobs. With telephone follow-up, a…

Teacher testing-related attitudes and practices were explored in the context of court-ordered achievement testing in a school district engaged in desegregation. Responses to a mail survey (the Teacher Assessment Practices Questionnaire) from 79 teachers (grades 3, 4, and 5) across 13 elementary schools in a midwestern urban district suggest that…

The Westchester Education Coalition, Inc., a coalition of business, education, and the community, surveyed the state of education in the schools of Westchester and Putnam counties (New York) to establish baseline data in the region and to suggest some future directions. In January 1992, a questionnaire was sent to all of the school districts of…

This survey determined the proportion of Arizona high school 1989 graduates who continued their educations, became employed, enlisted in the military, or chose another alternative. Of the 5,000 graduates originally selected, 1,380 graduates from 64 high schools responded to a mailed survey. Females, whites, and students with a high grade point…

To determine the satisfaction of minority students with the programs and services of Midlands Technical College, a survey of African American students was conducted in fall 1991. Surveys mailed to 2,217 students were returned by 252 (11 percent response rate). Students were asked about the racial atmosphere on campus, satisfaction with services…