Learning progressions (LPs) describe the development of domain-specific knowledge, skills, and understanding. Each level of an LP characterizes a phase of student thinking en route to a target performance. The rationale behind LP development is to provide road maps that can be used to guide student thinking from one level to the next. The validity…

Research shows that multiple external representations can significantly enhance students' learning. Most of this research has focused on learning with text and 1 additional graphical representation. However, real instructional materials often employ multiple "graphical" representations (MGRs) in addition to text. An important open…

We present a new method for analyzing a student's learning over time for a specific skill: analysis of the graph of the student's moment-by-moment learning over time. Moment-by-moment learning is calculated using a data-mined model that assesses the probability that a student learned a skill or concept at a specific time during learning (Baker,…

When taking mathematics courses, students will sometimes ask their recurring question, "When will I ever use this in real life?" Educators are often unable to provide a direct connection between what they are teaching in the classroom and a real-life application. However, when such an opportunity does arise, they should seize it and…

The purpose of this study is to determine whether educators believe mathematics should be taught to liberal arts students, what topics are taught in liberal arts mathematics courses, and what the motivation is for teaching such topics. The study consists of two parts, a review of the opinions of educators regarding liberal arts mathematics, and a…

Representative samples of fourth- and eighth-grade public school students from 21 urban districts participated in the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in mathematics. Eighteen of the districts participating in the 2011 NAEP Trial Urban District Assessment (TUDA) participated in earlier assessment years, while three districts…

Representative samples of fourth- and eighth-grade public school students from 21 urban districts participated in the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in reading. Eighteen of the districts participating in the 2011 NAEP Trial Urban District Assessment (TUDA) participated in earlier assessment years, while three districts…

The "Measuring College and Career Readiness" report for each state represents a snapshot of the ACT-tested graduates in the class of 2009 and focuses on their readiness for college and careers. Designed to inform policymakers and practitioners about selected indicators of effectiveness, the report is not intended to be comprehensive but…

Three lengthy tables and four charts present information on the 1981-82 planned tax effort of each of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts and 67 counties. The tax effort, or "equalized mills," equals each district's budgeted taxes divided by its projected 1981 market value. The report gives a brief illustration of how the tax effort…

Conducted as a step toward developing a philosophy of community-wide services to bring the county's citizens and their libraries closer together, this community analysis is divided into two parts, the first focusing on the community, and the second on the public library system. The first section covers the following topics: locale and environment,…

Researchers sought to compare the perceptions of school administrators who had from 0 to 5 years of experience with management by objectives (MBO), using a survey of 374 administrators in 22 Pennsylvania school districts. A literature review on MBO and management evaluation indicated the need for more longitudinal studies. To compare the attitude…

Intended for use in occupational and education planning by students and counselors, this document contains information about the 106 occupations which are included in the professional, technical, and kindred workers cluster of the U.S. census. The occupations are grouped by field of interest. For each occupation, the information provided includes…

This report contains 40 tables and 10 figures providing data on education in Pennsylvania in the areas of students, staff, finances, schools, and libraries for the 1991-92 school year. A statistical summary shows that in that year, the state had: 501 public school districts; 29 intermediate units; 3,252 public schools; 2,312 private and non-public…

A 1982 revision of a 1972 publication, this handbook aims to provide a process that school boards can use to evaluate management performance and set administrator salary and compensation schedules. Following a brief introduction, the first two sections note the problem of public criticism of school administrator salaries and review several…

The first in a series of 53 publications designed to provide information relative to human service decision makers, this datebook constitutes a statistical summary of the socioeconomic problems of children and families with children in Pennsylvania's 67 counties. Data taken from the 1970 U.S. Census Report are presented via 24 tables, 15 figures,…