Responses from faculty from 82 percent of medical schools surveyed indicated agreement between the basic science teachers and clinical teachers on the relative importance of a set of biomedical concepts, and showed relatively minor levels of disagreement on how difficult these concepts are. (Author/MLW)

Describes the way a relational database management system manages a large historical data collection project. Shows that such databases are practical to construct. States that the programing tasks involved are not for beginners, but the rewards of having data organized are worthwhile. (GG)

Application of multivariate qualitative response models, such as logit regression models, to analysis of risks of all-terrain vehicles is discussed. Data are from national exposure and injury surveys and records of fatalities of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Suggestions are made for further applications of the method. (SLD)

A design for test equating based on Item Response Theory is proposed and illustrated through a simulation study of about 1,000 primary students taking two examinations. This test-equating method allows decision makers in a standard setting exercise access to high quality information. (SLD)

Analyzes characteristics of 14 magnet schools and student transfer applications in Montgomery County, Maryland. Finds White families prefer schools with fewer minorities, while minority families choose schools in lower-income, high-minority neighborhoods. Notes that school characteristics determined by the administration had little independent…

The agreement between visual analysis and the results of the split-middle method of trend estimation was examined using a set of 24 stimulus graphs and 30 raters. Results revealed poor agreement between the two methods, and low sensitivity, specificity, and predictive ability for visual analysis in relation to statistical inferences. (JDD)

Reviewed are two computer software packages: "Algebra Concepts: Volume One," and "Data Insights." Each package is described and the strengths and weaknesses are highlighted. Costs and system requirements are listed. (CW)

Reports findings of a study that tested the geographic knowledge of preservice and inservice teachers using the same National Council for Geographic Education's test given to elementary and secondary students. Concludes geography instruction for teachers is inadequate and that this helps perpetuate geographic illiteracy in the United States.…

Discusses the implications of changing demographics on college campuses. Describes errors that may arise in statistical interpretations regarding womens' advancement in higher education. Urges minority groups to assume postures of collaboration rather that competition and stresses the importance of providing educational access to all who seek…

Presented is an approach to introducing upper division, undergraduate geology students to nonparametric statistics and their application to geologic data. Discussed are the use of the Mann-Whitney U and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests and a class assignment which illustrates their use. (CW)

Compares the principal-teacher interactions in an instructionally effective elementary school with those in an ordinary school. Findings about the principal of the more effective school include the following: (1) expressed concern and support; (2) had high instructional expectations; and (3) interacted frequently with teachers. (FMW)

This study investigated the effectiveness of a training sequence, based on Tough's categories of language use, to reduce the percent of reporting questions in relation to total questions; while increasing the percent of logical reasoning, predicting, and projecting questions used by student teachers (N=89) in leading discussions. (IAH)

Problems when developing and operating a successful student assessment program are described. Potential problems and solutions in three major areas are examined: the purposes and definitions of assessment, program implementation, and assessment designs and methods. (Author/MLW)

Findings from a study of 63 Texas teachers, which investigated the viability of the Alternative Certification Program (ACP) at University of Texas El Paso in training teachers, indicated that academic and classroom performance were similar for teachers from traditional teacher education programs, ACP teachers, and emergency permit teachers. (IAH)

Combining methodology from quantitative and qualitative paradigms can provide a rich database for understanding the leadership practice of the elementary school administrator. This combination of strategies allows for a more complete understanding of what influences educational input, process, and output. (16 references) (SI)