The purpose of this paper is to promote and improve needs assessment in distance education through the exploration of eight questions: (1) what is a needs assessment?; (2) how are needs assessments related to successful distance education?; (3) where have needs assessments been used in distance education?; (4) which approach to needs assessment…

This report contains enrollment data about the North Carolina Division of Social Services Work First clients who were enrolled in North Carolina community colleges curriculum and extension programs during the academic years 1995-96, 1996-97, and 1997-98. North Carolina's welfare reform initiative, Work First, is the State's Temporary Assistance to…

Field trials were conducted to test rating methods and the impact of feedback about consequences for the 1998 achievement levels-setting (ALS) process for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The field trials provided the opportunity to try out different methods similar to those used successfully by others, as well as to try out…

This report presents findings of the 1997 survey of substance use and related behaviors among university students in Texas. The objectives of the study were to determine the number and characteristics of students who use and misuse substances; to highlight the relationship between misuse and other risky behaviors; and to estimate the need for…

A central goal of language education in the global context is the fostering of favorable intercultural attitudes. Most language policies and syllabuses espouse improved cross-cultural understanding and more favorable cross-cultural attitudes as central goals. The report details a study conducted in Queensland (Australia) schools concerning the…

In 1997 the Oregon University System (OUS) identified four strategic goals for meeting state higher education needs: (1) strengthening the quality of instructional, research, and service programs; (2) expanding student access; (3) achieving appropriate cost effectiveness; and (4) enhancing graduates' employability. These goals guided the…

As part of Johnson County Community College's (JCCC) enrollment management efforts, a questionnaire was designed to gather information about why applicants do not enroll at the college. Survey instruments were mailed to 1,129 potential students in December 1996, resulting in 218 completed surveys. Results are presented for the following areas: (1)…

In 1997, the Detroit Public Schools Board of Education established an agreement with Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. to enable Sylvan to provide supplementary reading instruction to selected students in 10 elementary, middle, and high schools. An evaluation was conducted to determine the extent to which Sylvan met its goals. Data indicate that…

This monograph reports on a national survey of state higher education agencies concerning the current status of student transition data systems. The survey found that 48 states are currently addressing at least one of four student transition areas, with 42 states concerned with postsecondary education (PSE) to PSE transition, 33 states with K-12…

This report uses data from the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972 and the High School & Beyond/Sophomores Study to summarize information on what is studied, where, and by whom, in the nation's colleges, community colleges, and postsecondary trade schools. Section 1 describes how the data is based on that which the…

This report details the activities and accomplishments of a 4-year federally supported project concerned with: (1) validating a new strategy designed to promote the social relationships among young children with and without disabilities; (2) creating a training manual for use by teachers to promote acceptance of young children with disabilities;…

These tables provide data on degrees granted for the period 1986-1999 for all Maryland higher education institutions, both public and private. Data for community colleges is organized by institution, by program, and by level (lower division certificate or associate degree), and for all institutions. Data for four-year institutions is grouped by…

This paper reports findings from a series of focus groups with seven parents, six middle school girls, and four elementary school teachers in a high poverty urban neighborhood. The study began with the purpose of identifying the characteristics of exemplary teachers in low-income urban schools. As the research continued, it became apparent that…

This paper examines and reviews research techniques used to support business and strategic planning at a large metropolitan technical and further education (TAFE) college. Section 1 is an outline of the structure of Chisholm Institute's planning and research processes. It discusses the management structure, strategic plan, and departments within…

An instrument was developed to record adult basic education instructional time and funding data and predict future cost allocation to meet governmental regulations. Findings of a literature review were as follows: funding for such activities is tied to accounting for previous expenditures; continued funding is contingent upon post-activity…