The purpose of this data collection effort was to compile national data on the instructional content and processes of occupational education programs at the secondary level. The database included 893 classrooms in 120 high schools, a stratified random sample representing each vocational program offered plus two nonvocational programs in each…

This study investigated the measurement integrity of the "Heart Smart" cognitive tests. Designed for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders, the tests measure health-related knowledge involving physiology, nutrition, exercise, and behavioral skills. The report presents tables of specifications, test floors and ranges, a demographic profile of…

Several models for optimizing incomplete sample designs with respect to information on the item parameters are presented. The following cases are considered: (1) known ability parameters; (2) unknown ability parameters; (3) item sets with multiple ability scales; and (4) response models with multiple item parameters. The models are able to cope…

The developmental work or phase 1 of a study which will collect information on the operational and financial conditions of the arts and cultural organizations which make application to the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for grant support is described. As part of the Economic Data Series, the report will provide the Endowment with…

In a program of Individually Prescribed Instruction (IPI), where a student's progress through each level of a program of study is governed by his performance on a test dealing with individual behavioral objectives, there is considerable value in keeping the number of items on each test at a minimum. The specified test length for each objective…

This handbook describes the procedures used to develop, administer, and analyze the results of the 1978-79 art assessment of 9-year-olds, and 17-year-olds by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The primary purpose of the handbook is to provide detailed procedural information for people interested in replicating the assessment…

Technical notes concerning the Survey of Income and Education (SIE), April-July 1976, which was conducted by the Bureau of the Census for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, are presented. Information is presented on the source of the data, sample design, estimation procedure, reliability of the estimates, nonsampling variability,…

Follow-up studies are necessary for investigating the long-term, enduring, anticipated effects of bilingual education. Investigations need to be based on a recognition of their value to educational audiences, the relative merits of research issues, attention to the problem of attrition, proper selection of dependent measures, and the merits of…

Problems of obtaining a representative sample for a national survey are discussed, and the experiences of Educational Testing Service are used as examples of some methods used to cope with these problems. It is suggested that researchers: (1) capitalize on some existing program; (2) establish in the minds of the possible examinees and the possible…

This document contains research reports concerning: (1) The Decision Making Process of Iowa Young Adults, (2) Vocational Education and Occupational Aspirations of High School Students With No College Plans, (3) Differential Non-Income Occupational Valuations of Iowa Farm Boys, (4) Interrelationship of Home Environment and Employment, (5) Manpower…

Research was conducted regarding the lack of information about (1) the relations of open-closed mindedness (dogmatism, authoritarianism, and rigidity) to reactions to a social studies methods course; (2) the possible biasing effects of drawing samples of teacher education students from different groups, subcultural and educational; and (3) the…

Synthetic estimation is a statistical technique that estimates small-area statistics by combining national estimates of the relevant characteristics with estimates of other known characteristics of the small geographic area. The advantages of the synthetic estimation approach to local estimation are its intuitive appeal, its simplicity, and its…

The research design discussed here focuses on four major questions: (1) what the relative effectiveness of well-implemented "individualized" instruction vs. well-implemented "standardized" instruction for recipients of compensatory education in terms of reading achievement, mathematics achievement and classroom climate is; (2)…

The National Institute of Education is in the process of designing and conducting a study of compensatory education in accordance with the Education Amendments of 1974. Special attention will be devoted to examining the relative effectiveness of "standardized" versus "individualized" instructional programs. The stated purpose of this report is:…

Appendix A, "Data Analysis When Students Change from Smaller to Larger Schools between the Pre-test and Post-test of the First Year," discusses a methodological problem involved in planning the approximate number of questionnaires to be administered in program. Appendix B, "Estimates of Sample Sizes and Data Collection Costs," includes five…