This report describes a program for improving the reading skills of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students. The targeted population consists of 19 ESL students, ranging in age from 7-10 years, in a western suburb of a large metropolitan city in Illinois. The problem of poor reading ability was documented through low reading scores on the STAR…

The purpose of this study was to test a methodology that will help Santa Barbara City College (SBCC), California, to validate the course prerequisites that fall under the category of highest level of scrutiny--data collection and analysis--as defined by the Chancellor's Office. This study gathered data for the validation of prerequisites for three…

This report describes a study to provide a picture of the stage of development, level, and nature of the debate on nonformal learning in Greece. It describes the national debate on questions of identification, assessment, and recognition of nonformal learning, including means, motives, and areas of agreement and conflict. Then, it describes…

This report describes and analyzes the situation of nonformal learning in Spain. Chapter 1 describes the Spanish context by looking at qualification as the point of departure; recent changes in the industrial fabric of Spain and the birth of a new social and institutional view of qualification; the reform of vocational education and training;…

An experimental graduate program for teachers based on use of prior learning, respect for individual learning processes, encouragement of individuals' own ideas, and assistance in the planning and management of learning is described and evaluated. The program structure enables feedback on teaching design, relationships within the institution, and…

Published and institutional resources for assistance in recognizing adult prior learning are listed in five categories: assessment by examination, life or work experience, institutions and contact persons for competency-based programs, background publications, and credit for homemaking and volunteer work by women. (MSE)

The transcripts of 154 adult graduates of a nontraditional Bachelor of Arts program were compared to those of 103 adults who became inactive. The results indicate that both the background of the adult learner and the type of courses chosen for degree completion are predictors of success. (Author/MLW)

The Swedish 25/5-rule for eligibility in higher education allows adults over 25 with at least five years' work experience to enter certain parts of the higher education system. The background, objectives, enrollment trends, student motivation, and comparison with traditional students are discussed. (JMF)

Proceedings of the Sixth Annual Meeting of the Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers that relate to nontraditional education and special programs are summarized. The names and addresses of conference participants are included. (SF)

Describes a study that examined potential predictor variables and their relationship to computer aversion among preservice teachers. It was hypothesized that prior experience, ownership of a personal computer, and critical thinking ability would be negatively related to computer aversion, and that an introductory computer literacy course would…

A survey and analysis of online search strategies of 675 CD-ROM users at the University of Albany (New York) revealed a significant but small relationship between prior instruction and level of search skill. Of other measures: user status, department affiliation/major, age, sex, and CD-ROM experience, only user status and department…

Describes the development of a course in Turkey for preservice teacher education for elementary school teachers that focused on instructional technologies and material development using a constructivist approach. Discusses research outcomes, including the positive impact of constructivist practices, active learning, the importance of prior…

Describes a study of Australian secondary school students that identified the conditions and individual characteristics that would best support learners' acceptance of control within hypermedia, based on evidence from the learner control literature. Investigated effects of prior domain knowledge, learning activity structure, ability, and attitudes…

This interview study gathered information about the prior knowledge and thinking of kindergarten to third- graders regarding the supply of water, heat, and light to modern homes. Findings indicated that students possessed only limited and spotty knowledge about utilities in modern homes. Within general trends, there was evidence of growth in…

Investigates effects of prior knowledge, explicitness, and clause order on fifth and sixth grade readers' ability to infer causal cohesive ties in expository text. Finds significant effects for prior knowledge for fifth and sixth grade students on all variables except the cohesion cloze task. (SG)