Suggests the use of principal components analysis as an alternative solution to the problem of grouping speakers by sociological characteristics prior to quantitative analysis. An example is presented of its application to vowel variation data collected as part of a sociolinguistic survey of English in Sydney, Australia. (Author/CB)

In an investigation of trends in grade inflation, the grade point averages and Medical College Admission Tests scores for medical school applicants in all undergraduate colleges with at least five such applicants were compared over four years. (MSE)

Discusses the overall efficiency of investment in primary and secondary education and technology transfer via investment both in physical capital and higher education in 30 of the poorest African countries. A high (21.2 percent) rate of return to investment in primary and secondary education was found. Includes six tables and 20 references. (MLH)

Investigates the reading-writing relationship, emphasizing theories postulating identicality of knowledge use. Administered four reading measures and eight writing measures to second and fifth graders and found few correlations between reading and writing variables. Suggests little improvement arises from combining reading and writing or from…

Summarizes and critiques a study designed to investigate and identify factors that contribute to the attrition of high school band directors. Stating that Nimmo should have addressed the issues of success and merit pay more fully, Cowden concludes that the dissertation's findings reveal the need for serious discussions and actions toward reducing…

A multimethod (both quantitative and qualitative) investigation of the integration of computer-assisted instruction into the curriculum for mildly handicapped high school students is being conducted. Preliminary findings support efforts in four areas: needs assessment procedures, software selection, inservice training and technical assistance, and…

Consists of four program descriptions related to economic development efforts involving two-year postsecondary educational institutions. Topics include statewide industrial training network among education, business, and government in Kansas; operation of business centers and economic development offices at Illinois schools; an Illinois regional…

Presents a brief overview of good research design and related statistical concepts in deliberately non-technical language and argues that an awareness of the basic principles of valid research on the part of teachers and researchers is necessary to put the findings of language and education research into proper perspective. (Author/CB)

A Public Library Association (PLA) survey compiled information on public libraries in bibliographic networks. Aspects identified and measured were perceptions of participation, reasons for non-participation, reactions to services, and suggestions for increasing participation. Recommendations are made for actions by PLA and the networks to ensure…

The order of difficulty of positions and the segmentability of phoneme categories are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that phonemes are functioning units in the perception and production of speech. The final version of the program for teaching phonemic segmentation is described. (Author/LMO)

A meta-analysis of 31 studies found financial aid to have a small, but significant, positive effect on student persistence, enabling lower-income students to persist at a rate roughly equal to that of middle- and upper-income students. (Author/MLW)

Describes computerized differential classifications of a variety of subtle brain dysfunctions. Provides objective corroboration that may be a useful adjunct to psychiatric diagnoses. Discusses independent criteria for diagnostic validity, evaluation of treatment efficacy and more individualized treatment. Outlines the implications of this…

Offers and tests a model of the relationship between self-rejection and deviance, mediated by disposition to deviance. Results indicate self-rejection has a strong direct effect on disposition to deviance, which in turn has a strong relationship to deviant behavior. (TRS)

Public library effectiveness efforts are placed within the context of theoretical and empirical research on organizational effectiveness. The construct, measures, and determinants of public library effectiveness are investigated, and a possible model of the determinants of public library output measures is presented. (Author/EM)