This issue brief discusses the statistical results of the 1997 Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR) and identifies doctorate holders' employment preferences at the beginning of their doctoral education and labor market experiences. (YDS)

Many private colleges, suffering from enrollment problems, are innovating academic programs in an attempt to provide superior alternatives to public education. Describes three such experimental programs at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, and Austin College in Texas. (JR)

Studied the type of skills required for engineering students to succeed in their work, using high school grades and predictor batteries such as aptitude and standardized achievement tests. Concluded that the findings of similar earlier studies were confirmed with achievement tests preferred over aptitude tests for student selection. (CC)

Summarizes the discussions of a Division of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry symposium on solids handling for synthetic fuels production. Included is a description of technical difficulties with the use of coal seams and deposits of oil shale and oil sand as potential sources of fuel. (CC)

Since the human performer is usually essential to the operation of a new system, the authors propose a model human performance system which, they claim, makes it possible to deal with people as rationally as with machines. The implications of this system for training in response to change are discussed. (SA)

In Wisconsin, agricultural mechanics related to carpentry was chosen as the skill area around which to train Chippewa Indians on the Sand Lake Reservation in skills associated with home building and repair. The training was offered by Wisconsin Indianhead Technical Institute at New Richmond. (Author/DS)

Discusses a conference held to develop ways of generalizing about the man-environment interaction by considering this interaction cross-culturally. Presentations consider human characteristics, environments, mechanisms linking people and environments, and the effect of environment on people. (Author/DN)

Describes the characteristics and operational problems of optical waveguides, and concludes that the wide use of optical communications can be expected if difficulties in commercial production of components can be eliminated. (CC)

A general description of The Thomson Foundation Television College, which trains students in both television production/direction and engineering. (HB)

Analyzes two 1973 salary surveys by the American Chemical Society. Indicates that the salary gains of chemical professionals in 1973 are generally the strongest since the 1960's. (CC)

Tongue-in-cheek suggestions on how, by adopting the methods of private industry, public schools might become profitable corporations. (SP)