The results of a recent survey of high school seniors show that their parents have a significant influence on their postsecondary planning. Greater parental involvement in guidance and admissions could add a new, beneficial dimension to counseling and recruiting efforts. (Author/LBH)

The performance of black students on standardized tests is still significantly below that of their white counterparts. Data on black performance on standardized tests and trends on the factors that affect that performance are examined. The OERI study on Poverty, Achievement and the Distribution of Compensatory Education Services is discussed. (MLW)

Presents the results of a national survey designed to identify the historical roots of discipline-based art education (DBAE). The survey reviewed several thousand curriculum documents drawn from all fifty states and spanning a 110 year period. (JDH)

Described is a study designed to introduce students to the behavior of common invertebrate animals, and to use of the chi-square statistical technique. Discusses activities with snails, pill bugs, and mealworms. Provides an abbreviated chi-square table and instructions for performing the experiments and statistical tests. (CW)

Compares the results of two survey designs administered to visitors of three South African nature reserves to ascertain changes in conservation awareness. Explains the method, data collection, questionnaire design, statistical tests, pretests, pilot studies, results, and conclusions of the study. Finds that no statistical differences between…

Applied simple difference and regression methods for determining discrepancies between Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and achievement to second- and fifth-grade IQ, reading and math achievement scores. Simple difference discrepancies covaried with IQ and produced disproportionate ethnic representation for both grades in reading and for second graders…

The wide variation among the states in the support level on a per-student basis of aid to private institutions by state and local governments is discussed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Total aid, state-by-state statistics, private sector enrollment, and enrollment vs. aid are examined. (MLW)

A review of research leads to the proposal that infants' perception of "fragile" contrasts is lost due to their lack of exposure to particular sounds. Perception of "robust" contrasts is lost around the onset of formal language training due to children's lack of experience with phonologically irrelevant sounds. (Author/CB)

In studies involving matrix sampling on items, it is often the case that there are too few responses per individual to use latent trait item response models. A model is formulated wherein individual level variability appears as independent error within the cells of a cross classification of demographic variables. (JKS)

A decision support application based on the Markov analytic model is described, and its use in the formation of policy concerning reduction in force and work force distribution is illustrated through the comparative modeling of two personnel management policies. (MSE)

Differences in the corrected state rankings on Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores are explained by the percentage of students taking the test and by student composition by sex, race, and average family income. Higher state per capita educational expenditures are significantly related to higher average SAT scores. Policy implications are…

Describes study of manual and experimental automated circulation systems in a university library in Nigeria. Data were collected for eight circulation activities in order to calculate the direct labor costs of circulating a book on each system. Automated system's book circulation costs were higher although direct labor costs were less. (MBR)

Public school teachers earn more money, and possess more of the characteristics valued in the teaching market, than do private school teachers. Organizational and ownership structure of schools appears to make a difference in teacher salaries. Profit-making schools are among the lowest paying, second only to parochial schools. (Author/MD)

Elementary and secondary teachers (N=323) were surveyed to determine teacher use of post hoc classroom test statistics and the relationship of inservice practices to background and instructional characteristics. Results indicate teachers do not analyze test results by methods prescribed by measurement specialists. Implications for preservice…

Classifies errors as either systematic or blunder and uncertainties as either systematic or random. Discusses use of error/uncertainty analysis in direct/indirect measurement, describing the process of planning experiments to ensure lowest possible uncertainty. Also considers appropriate level of error analysis for high school physics students'…