This study explored differences between students studying introductory statistics in a strictly lecture type setting against those in an environment where the lectures are driven by computer software. A 20-item multiple-choice questionnaire was developed covering the main concepts of a first course in statistics. Included were questions on the…

An ethnographic, multiple case study research design was used to examine factors that support a successful high school distance education program. Three classrooms from different high schools, each taking the same nationally-offered distance education physics course during the 1994-95 school year, participated. The course was delivered live, via…

England was 1 of more than 40 countries that took part in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) survey of 13-year-olds. This paper presents background information on the TIMSS and the performance assessment element of the study. It also describes how the written test and the practical task components relate to the National…

Noting that a majority of adults believe something is fundamentally wrong with America's current moral climate, this booklet presents a framework for discussing the issue of troubled youths. The booklet presents three approaches, or choices, for addressing the problem: greater parental focus on children's needs; social partnerships in…

This document contains selected proceedings from a conference that was convened in the Mississippi Delta region to provide interested stakeholders (citizens and local public officials) with information about recent federal and state welfare reform legislation. The document begins with an explanation of how the old Aid to Families with Dependent…

The Instructional and Leadership Development through Distance Learning (ILDDL) project was created to demonstrate ways that technology and distance learning can be used to address some of Florida's educational needs. The project involved the collaboration of Florida State University, the University of Florida, and nine Florida community colleges.…

The question of what determines the appropriate use of self-directed learning (SDL) as opposed to teacher-directed learning (TDL) for midcareer professionals was examined through a review of the literature on SDL, SDL in professional development, and through interviews with 12 midcareer adults in a wide variety of professions. In general, the…

This paper presents a model that was developed for the categorization and evaluation of stand-alone interactive media and that now is used to contribute to a more detailed and specific educational discussion of Internet use. The paper begins with a review of the foundations on which the model is built, including software as subject, tool, or…

In 1991, a student learning outcomes assessment was conducted at Wenatchee Valley College, Washington. All English 101 students in the winter and spring quarters of 1990 wrote a 2-hour final exam. Winter quarter students wrote on the same topic while spring quarter students wrote on one of three randomly assigned topics. Five English 101…

Time constraints often diminish college administrators capacity to address problems and concerns. The lack of time to accomplish administrative responsibilities can both produce and magnify stress. Perceptions of amounts of time spent on problems associated with 21 administrative activities were obtained from 373 public community, public…

School finance is basic to understanding and improving the condition of rural education. The purpose of this study was to: (1) determine the relationship between educational spending and component property wealth in the rural schools of Illinois; (2) examine potential trends in component property wealth in Illinois; and (3) identify and facilitate…

The adaptation and use of local area network (LAN) computer technology as an educational enhancement and as a social process in a university teacher education program were studied. The LAN technology, electronic bulletin board, and facsimile machines were used to enhance university supervised clinical settings for novice teachers in the public…

A study compares the adult functional literacy campaigns and programs developed in seven African nations: the Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, and Seychelles. After an introductory chapter outlining the background of African adult functional literacy efforts and some of the constraints on them, the second chapter gives an overview of…

This report examines the role of private higher education in meeting public purposes, considers how state policies affect this role, and presents actual and potential trends. Also, the report warns of serious causes for concern and presents recommendations that include preventive measures deserving early consideration. Sections of the report…

This report compares information gathered from the Massachusetts Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test administrations of 1986 and 1988 with data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) tests given those same years (mathematics and science in 1986 and reading and United States history in 1988). The focus is on how…