This paper examines trends in second language communication strategies (CSs), explaining that when language learners concentrate on form or accuracy, they encounter problems, and when they recognize the mismatch between their linguistic resources and communicative intentions, they try to solve these problems using CSs (e.g., appeals for help,…

This paper reports the results of the Special Study Survey completed by 370 member institutions of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education in conjunction with the Professional Education Data System (PEDS) survey in fall 2001. The purpose of the survey was to identify and describe the approaches schools, colleges, and departments…

This book originated from a conference arranged to honor the professional contributions of William D. Schafer on his retirement. In recognition of his interest in the subject, each chapter is an effort by one or more professionals to describe what they think the future of assessment should be. The chapters are: (1) What Will Teachers Know about…

This how-to guide to classroom inquiry takes educators through the process step-by-step, from beginning to end, answering critical questions on developing the research plan, collecting and analyzing the data, and writing and publishing the results. Seven chapters include: (1) "Teacher Inquiry Defined" (e.g., what teacher inquiry is and how it…

This study was conducted to analyze student background characteristics and educational history data that affect participation and performance of non-English language background students, including those with limited English proficiency, on Minnesota's Basic Standards Test. Data were obtained from individual student cumulative files in six schools…

This manual is designed to be used for any kind of student-centered planning for secondary students with brain injuries, including the Individualized Education Program (IEP) required for every student who is found eligible for special education. The manual provides questionnaires, observation forms, and procedures to help the education team gather…

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) allow users a small profile, battery-operated, and relatively low-cost way to take many of the capabilities of a personal computer into the field. This combination of features suggests a great potential for the use of a PDA as a field data collection instrument. This research compared the use of one kind of PDA…

This book outlines a process for showing how well a school or district meets its goal of sustained student learning. The first section provides a knowledge base for collecting and reporting educational data. The next section reflects the components of educational change and answers "how to" questions about data gathering, analysis, and reporting…

This technical report documents the methodology of the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88) base year survey of eighth graders through the 1992 second followup survey of high school students and dropouts. Chapter 1 begins with an overview and history of the NELS:88 and its database, Chapter 2 contains a description of the data…

Given the competition for limited resources at all levels of funding for correctional education coupled with public sentiment that swings between punishment of offenders and their rehabilitation, correctional education data at the program level have become more important than ever. This handbook explores the use of data in correctional education…

Research suggests that children who do not read at the end of the first grade fail to achieve in almost every other academic area. Given the high price of not learning to read in first grade, Maine schools are asking: Are children entering first grade able to take advantage of formal literacy instruction? Are they leaving first grade reading and…

The Private School Universe Survey (PSS) is a mail survey conducted by the Bureau of the Census under the sponsorship of the National Center for Education Statistics. The survey is designed to provide data relating to all private schools in the United States, but the private schools' list frame remains incomplete despite the best efforts to…

Suggesting that creating a report for each school involved in the Reading Recovery program can have a powerful impact, this paper shows the current model of campus reports for the Spring Branch Independent School District, Houston, Texas. The report form described in the paper is continually growing and changing through need and collaboration with…

This report summarizes the number of due process special education hearings requested and held in all states and the District of Columbia from 1996 through 1998 and compares those data to similar statistics collected for the years 1991 through 1995. The paper explains relevant laws and regulations, such as the Individuals with Disabilities…

This study investigated how the Department of Education (Education) monitored state compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for children age 3-21 years, the extent and nature of noncompliance, and how Education has ensured that noncompliance is resolved once identified. Researchers analyzed Education monitoring…