Although each higher education institutional research office has a unique style and mission, their commonalities suggest guidelines for establishing effective units, including placement high in the organizational structure, consistent attention given to first-order data responsibilities (collection, reporting), attention to institutional needs, a…

This report seeks to raise awareness of the critical importance of chronic early absence, synthesize available data on the scope of the challenge, and share emerging insights about how schools and communities can use chronic early absence to identify and address challenges affecting the social, educational and physical well-being of children and…

Two studies examined response to varying amounts of time in reading intervention for two cohorts of first-grade students demonstrating low levels of reading after previous intervention. Students were assigned to one of three groups that received (a) a single dose of intervention, (b) a double dose of intervention, or (c) no intervention.…

Addressing the increasing psychological needs on campus is a central mission of most college counseling centers. In addition, many centers are expected to contribute to student academic success and retention. Through the use of outcomes based assessment, which examines the needs, expectations, and perceptions of students, counseling centers can…

Federal laws mandate that students with cognitive disabilities receive instruction in academic skills and also support the importance of teaching self-determination. The purpose of this literature review was to synthesize intervention research examining effects of self-determination interventions on academic skills for students with cognitive…

Background: Telemedicine, the provision of healthcare at a distance via telecommunication technology, has been used to address a wide range of health concerns in a variety of settings. Given the challenges schools face in keeping students healthy, telemedicine could be viewed as a mechanism to provide healthcare services directly to students in…

Brief case studies of three projects are presented to illustrate the steps which open "Wonderful Programs" to evaluation research. The evaluator is provided with the perspective needed to believe the evaluation is worth doing. The project staff is then redirected to the need for a new type of evidence. An ongoing review of the commitment…

Outlines a 10-step process for designing performance improvement systems which is intended to reduce time spent on the project, to assure client approval, and to assure management support. Client participation with the consultant throughout the process is stressed as the key to success. (LRW)

A critical review of studies on the use of sensory integration therapy with mentally retarded persons found inadequate experimental design and statistical procedures to support use of this therapy and interpretation of research results. (Author/DB)

In a response to a critique of studies on the use of sensory integration therapy with mentally retarded persons, the article suggests that better research on the variety of variables involved is needed and that clinicians should not cease using an apparently successful program. (DB)

In a response to a critique of studies on the use of sensory integration therapy with mentally retarded persons, the article suggests that the research of the authors of the critique is subject to the same criticisms leveled by them at sensory integration therapy. (DB)

In a response to a critique of studies on the use of sensory integration therapy with mentally retarded persons, the article provides a detailed chart of mistakes, selective statements, distortions, and evidence of poor scholarship on the part of the authors of the critique. (DB)

In a response to a critique of studies on the use of sensory integration therapy with mentally retarded persons, the article suggests that the original authors should have encouraged professionals using this therapy to systematically evaluate outcomes rather than discouraging them from using the therapy. (DB)

The article is in response to critiques of the authors' review of the literature on the effectiveness of sensory integration therapy with mentally retarded persons. After responding to the individual criticisms, the authors encourage research into the specific mechanisms functioning to produce effects and how such mechanisms relate to proposed…

Meta analysis of 273 investigations concerned with the modification of attitudes toward persons with disabilities revealed equivocal results possibly due to methodological deficiencies (study quality ratings were low) or to the complexity of human attitudes. (Author/DB)