The regression-discontinuity approach to evaluating educational programs is reviewed, and regression-discontinuity post-program mean differences under various conditions are discussed. The regression-discontinuity design is used to determine whether post-program differences exist between an experimental program and a control group. The difference…

As the latest in a series of studies analyzing the data reported on Tennessee's school district report cards, this paper focuses on finding a common statistical treatment to examine the impact of predictor variables on dependent variables. Investigations of the 1988-89 report card data explored the relationships among eight school district…

This book contains four articles on adult higher education (AHE) in Finland. In the preface, Matti Parjanen outlines the development of AHE in Finland and discusses the rationale for the book. In "Adult Education and Universities in the Era of Economic Depression," Osmo Kivinen and Risto Rinne examine the dilemma between the mission of…

This report provides data on withdrawal and success rates and grades earned in fall 1993 at the five campuses of Pima Community College (PCC), in Arizona. First, information is presented on the following areas: (1) successes and withdrawals by campus and district-wide, indicating that the Community campus showed the highest percentage of successes…

The international vocational education research collaboration between the University of Jyvaskyla (UJ) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPISU), which began in 1993, was studied. Information for the case study was gathered from questionnaire and interview data from linkage participants from VPISU, seven UJ researchers, and…

Research was undertaken to determine whether technology education had moved from theory into practice in the United States. To make meaningful national comparisons, a comparative model was developed to determine the philosophy, implementation organization, and implementation processes of technology education. The model was used as a table of…

This paper analyzes the factors associated with student loan default in the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) program for higher education. The paper provides an overview of the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) Student Loan Recipient Survey, and, using data from the survey, presents a descriptive analysis of student loan recipients and…

In 1991-92, a project was undertaken at Napa Valley College to update the college's 1990 Comparative Study of Vocational Nursing Curriculum and Employer Requirements, to develop a model articulation program for licensed nurses pursuing associate degrees, and to produce a guide for recruiting and retaining underrepresented groups in vocational…

This study investigated whether the visual forms of buttons influenced learning and satisfaction when early adolescent students were asked to perform tasks using computer-assisted instruction (CAI). Ninety subjects participated. Three visual forms were designed for buttons located in a CAI application. One contained pictures for commands, the…

The Brigance K&1 test is a battery of 12 subtests widely used to identify entering kindergarten children in need of more comprehensive evaluation. To gather data on the reliability of the test, an analysis was conducted of results for 134 children from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The children were administered both the Brigance K&1…

The early work experiences of graduates of Michigan State University's engineering program who did and did not participate in the university's cooperative education program were compared. A two-part survey that covered work experiences during college, skill development in undergraduate programs, career evaluation and outlook, demographic…

A study examined basic skills programs at 21 Illinois companies. Most of the top managers interviewed recognized the basic skills training needs of their work forces; however, only 14 of the companies actually offered workplace basic skills programs. Three major motivating factors were identified as catalysts for beginning a program: a drive for…

In spring 1990, a study was conducted of students in six Psychology classes taught by three instructors at Rancho Santiago College (RSC) to assess the impact of reading ability on exam performance. Students who volunteered for the study were administered the Nelson-Denny reading test. Those scoring below the 10th grade level were designated as…

This study examined the reasons given by college students for choosing teaching as a career, comparing responses of high-achieving graduates of select liberal arts colleges enrolled in the Teaching and Curriculum program at Harvard Graduate School of Education to become secondary level teachers, and 53 prospective early childhood, elementary, and…

The Associate Program for Adjunct Faculty (APAF) at College of the Canyons (CC) in Santa Clarita, California, includes instructional skills workshops and advanced teaching workshops designed to promote good teaching practices among part-time faculty. In March 1993, CC conducted a survey of teaching practices among the college's 160 part-time…