Describes a 50-state study of the regulatory environment of 2-year colleges, focusing on patterns in budgeting flexibility, budget form, expenditure oversight, tuition and revenue control, local authority, and personnel administration. The highest degree of state control was over budgeting form and local autonomy, while the lowest was over…

The Level-11 vocabulary subtest of the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills was analyzed using a two-stage latent trait approach and data set of 2,356 examinees, approximately 11 years of age. It is concluded that the nonparametric approach leads to efficient estimation of the latent trait. (SLD)

Presents results from the 1992 Drug Use Forecasting (DUF) program that measures illicit drug use among persons arrested for criminal behavior. Adult use of specific drugs, male juvenile drug use, and the role of the DUF are explored. (GLR)

Presents results of a survey comparing British and U.S. political scientists' familiarity with different journals, evaluations of journal quality, and measures of journal impact. Concludes that British and U.S. subjects agree about quality but read different sets of journals. Reports the two groups' familiarity with different literature,…

Analysis of data on freshman-to-senior developmental gains in 722 University of Tennessee-Knoxville students provides evidence of the advantages of structural equation modeling with latent variables and suggests that the group differences identified by traditional analysis of variance and covariance techniques may be an artifact of measurement…

This study investigated the relationship between specific teacher evaluation items and course rating by students (n=1,064) at the University of Yaounde (Cameroon). Results suggest variables (such as student increase in interest during the course, overall course organization, and student perceptions of what they are gaining) are most predictive of…

Examines whether class size in the introductory-level economics course affects subsequent performance in intermediate-level economics courses. Studies University of Massachusetts (Boston) students who are allowed to choose large or small lecture classes. Finds that students enrolled in large sections received lower grades in subsequent…

Examines teacher role expectations as perceived by 180 students and 86 teachers in 3 secondary schools in Hong Kong. Found that junior-level students were affective oriented toward the teacher role expectations whereas both upper-level students and teachers were cognitive oriented and regarded well-prepared lessons as most important. (NL)

Summarizes results from the study Teaching and Learning of Mathematics in the Dominican Republic (TLMDR) which evaluated eighth grade students' mathematics achievement during 1982-83. States students are not guaranteed an adequate level of mathematics instruction. Contends the Dominican Republic school system enhances and deepens social…

Uses a hierarchical linear model to test the effect of birthdate on science ability in British schoolchildren, ages 11, 13, and 15. Reports that summer-born children scored lower than autumn-born children on science survey tests. Urges teachers to consider these artificial performance differences when grouping pupils according to ability for…

Contends that courses designed to help students learn about the application of computers to historical study can be prepared and taught in a number of ways. Describes a college-level course that combines an introduction to computer applications with a student research project. (CFR)

Analyzes change in the occupational aspirations of young people in the United States between the late 1960s and 1970s. Reveals that the most significant change occurred among women. Argues that this was primarily a manifestation of cultural change resulting from the resurgence of the women's movement. (MJP)

Presents resource-based, statistical research projects for Canadian grade 9 geography developed by teachers and librarians at Merivale High School (Carleton). Shares their teaching strategies and materials and discusses the results achieved. Notes that the activities can be transferred directly to other schools, using resources readily available…

At Illinois College of Optometry a peer-review committee evaluates the exams of both basic science and clinical courses to provide an objective means of evaluating a faculty member's teaching ability. Five aspects of the exam (content, construction, statistical analysis, adjusted questions, instructor's rationale) are evaluated to determine the…

A study used Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) data to examine attitude trends in the Austin College (Texas) freshman classes from 1985-94. Longitudinal and cross-sectional trends are compared to distinguish period, age, and cohort effects. The effect Austin College has had on student attitudes is discussed. Use of CIRP data is…