Curriculum auditing is a quality-control process. If a course is not meeting expectations, is not serving students, or needs adjustment, the Roanoke Valley (Virginia) Governor's School for Science and Technology employs benchmarking to attain data to fix the problem or move in another direction. (MLH)

Presents a follow-up study to further assess the extent to which reticent participants subscribe to beliefs outlined in prior research and to further test the ability of the Penn State program to alter those beliefs. Reveals significant pretreatment differences between reticent and comparison group participants on 7 of 16 beliefs. Shows…

Assesses the effectiveness of the trauma training program for recent journalism graduates. Finds that all graduates see trauma training as a worthwhile exercise for journalism students in order to address trauma victims appropriately. Indicates that the majority of journalism graduates in this study have been exposed to traumatic incidents in…

The success of corporate instructional design projects depends on how well the practitioner performs in the field under specific circumstances. Benchmarking is one of the major business strategies for continuous improvement. A thorough inquiry into how exceptional corporate instructional designers function lends insights into the instructional…

Assessments of schools and community agencies with teen pregnancy prevention programs (n=23) in three California counties were conducted using surveys, interviews, and site visits. Best practices identified included youth development programs, Involvement of family and other caring adults, and culturally appropriate and locally relevant…

A study compared two methods for programming and thinning noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) schedules during the treatment of self-injurious behavior (SIB) of three adults with mental retardation. Results found that both schedules were effective in initially reducing SIB and in maintaining response suppression as the schedules were thinned.…

Oregon extension faced challenges in presenting programs in the wood products industry. Several traditional tactics, revised to suit a new audience, have proved successful: personal coaching, building partnerships, and providing a high level of service. Newer methods, such as database marketing and distance learning, are also proving to be…

The structure of postsecondary education has been reconceptualized in terms of distance education which can help two-year institutions serve more students without increasing staff levels. The focused preparation required for distance teaching may improve overall teaching quality. (SK)

A study examined the effects of a combined education and token system intervention to improve adherence to inhaled corticosteroids for an 8-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy with asthma. A withdrawal design demonstrated improved adherence and, for one child, an associated improvement in pulmonary function occurred. (Author/CR)

Surveys reactions and preferences related to a support program for siblings (N=40) of children with disabilities. Results identified the benefits participants received from the program and the different components participants preferred, such as favored recreational activities. Suggests the clinical utility of the program for school personnel…

Raises concerns about Hanover and Cellar's study : gender and racial composition of the sample, effects of organizational status, questionable variables in the work environment measure, other organizational demographics, and the degree of participants' familiarity with each other. (SK)

Applies data envelopment analysis to measure value added in Master of Business Administration education in the United States. Highlights the MBA program as an example of a value-adding process in education, and demonstrates how such programs' efficiency in providing value to students may be evaluated. The top 20 MBA programs resemble the second 20…

States that the effectiveness of the North Central Association's Commission on Institutions of Higher Education annual meeting programs and this issue of the NCA Quarterly testify to the need for collaborative efforts. Outlines three ways to make educational partnerships successful. Asserts that collaboration depends on sharing recommendations,…

Presents a historical perspective of performance measurement, describing types of performance measures, and examining their use in municipal parks and recreation agencies, noting that more and more parks and recreation agencies are developing performance measurement plans for all divisions and units. The benefits movement (specifically, benefits…

Evaluated a student-focused, learning-to-learn program used in an introductory chemistry class; the program was presented in context and used authentic course materials. Findings indicated that participants were less inclined to engage only in surface learning activities and showed an overall increase in pass rate and a decline in attrition rate.…