This report presents data collected in a pilot study of 55 day care programs in 14 states by the National Child Care Association. Information was gathered through: (1) day care center self-evaluations; (2) surveys of staff, parents, and children; and (3) on-site visits. The first of the report's two sections presents data from the self-evaluations…

This manual offers information on developing, implementing, and maintaining college alcohol and other drug programs at New York institutions of higher education. The document notes that alcohol is the drug of choice for college students and that therefore alcohol-related issues and programs are the primary focus of the manual. Part 1 of the manual…

This paper explores the practical implications of the distributional perspective on dropping out of school--a perspective that says that the concentration of student exodus from certain schools may reflect the impact of contextual or organizational factors as opposed to those that operate simply at the individual level. Based on data from the…

In view of the curriculum revision that has become increasingly common in teacher education, "Assessment in the Classroom" has been designed to fit a variety of curriculum arrangements. Because of its modest length and price and its focus on the assessment needs of regular classroom teachers, it can be the core text in brief or full-length…

This study sought to identify similarities and differences influencing students' self-perceived gains in communication and critical thinking skills. The study examined students' background characteristics and general college experiences, as well as their experiences in their major field of study. Structural equation modeling was used to examine…

The Pennsylvania State University, through its World Campus, is exploring several design models which provide multifaceted communication environments for distance education. Currently, students enrolled in World Campus programs interact with courses delivered through WebCT, a course management tool, or through FirstClass. This paper focuses on…

Early field experiences for preservice teachers can serve as a catalyst for the development of new insights and instructional techniques, particularly if they are in diverse settings. This study provided one preservice teacher with two 30-hour field experience components at two diverse sites. The project involved a comparative analysis of two…

This paper presents the results of an experiment using videoconferencing in a distance graduate course in the Computer Science Department at the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The purpose of the experiment was to test two videoconference technologies that are widely used on the Internet, Cu-SeeMe and Real technology, and to assess…

This paper describes the architecture and discusses implementation issues of a scalable Internet-based teaching and learning system (SKILL) being developed at the University of Essen (Germany). The primary objective of SKILL is to cope with the different knowledge levels and learning preferences of the students, providing them with a collaborative…

The work reported in this paper is part of an ongoing qualitative study of faculty uses of the Internet at the University of Georgia. The goal of the study is to categorize the functions of "class pages" (i.e., World Wide Web sites that have been personally developed by instructors to support traditional face-to-face classes) from both…

This paper reviews the development and delivery of a higher education module as part of the University of Plymouth's (England) Integrated Masters Programme (IMP) through the Rural Area Training and Information Opportunities (RATIO) telematic centers. The aim of the project was to provide computer-supported solutions that could assist remote…

This bibliography provides a recommended list of research and theoretical literature in school restructuring of interest to practitioners, policymakers, and researchers. The first section contains general references, including 66 articles and books on school reform proposals, how schools work, and the change process. The second section, addressing…

This report comprises the results of a panel commissioned by the New York State Board of Regents to review the status of knowledge on learning styles and group tendencies in learning behavior. The panel commissioned background papers, and debated various aspects of learning style as they relate to education. Of particular note was the role of…

A study was done to identify social, economic, and childhood characteristics of high and low achieving children living in adverse environmental conditions, and to test the association between achievement and specific risk and protective factors. In addition, the study identified the most powerful model for predicting achievement by comparing…

Professional practice schools are restructured public schools that are: (1) models of good practice; (2) responsible for education and socialization of teachers for new roles; and (3) designed to support ongoing research directed at improving practice. The seven essays in this book focus on the rationale for professional practice schools and the…