The California Critical Thinking Skills Test: College Level (CCTST) is a standardized test that targets core college-level critical thinking skills. It has been characterized as the best commercially available critical thinking skills assessment instrument. Building from CCTST validation studies in 1989 and 1990, this paper proposes avenues for…

The nine papers in this monograph, written by members of the University Council for Research in Human Resource Development, respond to the following questions: What is the most important organizational issue of the 1990s, and what human resource development (HRD) research questions might be generated from this issue? The papers are as follows: (1)…

A study was conducted to determine how parents perceive their involvement in planning the transition from school to work for their children with disabilities. A random sample of 240 parents in 9 school districts in Texas identified as having exemplary disabilities programs were contacted with a mailed survey, and 17 parents volunteered as a result…

Four commissioned papers prepared for a conference on key concepts in the areas of economic productivity and adaptability in the Northeastern states are presented in this document. These papers reflect an important fact: that major socioeconomic changes are underway that will affect the ability of Northeastern states to maintain productive and…

This report discusses enrollment planning by colleges and universities as it concerns the understanding of why students choose to attend one particular college over another. First, the past responses of colleges to enrollment-threatening changes are presented. Next, an explanation is given of why knowledge of student college choice behavior is…

Suggesting new policies for integrating technology into existing goals of the public schools, this book presents the argument that substantial educational improvements can be made through the use of computers. Chapter 1 contains an assessment describing the nature of technology events thought likely to occur during the 1980s. (A technology event…

This paper surveys the status of current state and district level practice in content assessment, highlights related research efforts currently underway, and identifies high priority areas for subsequent research in content assessment. A needs assessment for research in content area assessment was conducted during 1986 by the Center for Research…

As the large immigrant/refugee population in the United States ages, mainstream institutions, such as schools, workplaces, and social services, are increasingly challenged to meet the needs of elders. Certain themes and difficulties in acculturation emerge repeatedly, including financial insecurities, health issues, loneliness and isolation,…

This hearing is the first of two to consider whether the priority setting, the guidelines, and the competitive process for the funding of 12 proposed research and development centers (which constitute nearly 80% of the budget of the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI) for center-based research) will be adequate to establish a…

In response to a 1989 legislative mandate urging all Indiana state universities and Indiana Vocational Technical College (IVTC) to facilitate the transfer of credits, this paper presents a proposal for a study to determine how well the institutions are complying with the wishes of the general assembly. The paper presents background on the…

There is a consensus among professionals about the content of programs that prepare educators for the early childhood level, and particularly about a core knowledge base. However, there is little consensus on the minimum levels of hours and credits needed to adequately prepare early childhood educators, and on the professional roles and…

Growing institutional concern for excellence coupled with legislative mandates calling for accountability have prompted many colleges to emphasize student outcomes when evaluating and designing courses and programs. A careful review of the accountability literature, however, suggests that continuing education courses and students, in spite of…

This report of a 1986 survey conducted in Maine addresses the relationship between stated time use demands on principals and superintendents and the structural complexity of the organizations in which they work. Researchers, comparing single with multiple schools and districts of supervisory responsibility, mailed the Maine Administrative…

State education agency personnel in 48 states were surveyed regarding current financing practices that would positively affect small school districts. One-half of the states were found to currently provide some type of additional operating revenue to small schools or school districts through pupil weighting, identification as geographically…

This study compares the criteria utilized by private and public school officials in the selection of beginning teachers. A similar study undertaken in Oregon (Webb 1980) was extended by incorporating private schools. Of the 117 California school districts sent questionnaires, 88 responded--a return rate of 75 percent. Twenty-nine of the private…