Explores the feasibility of using focus groups to assess how scholastic publications can better meet high school students' readership requirements. Relates focus-group research and a research project dealing with communication and in-house publications to high school journalism. (PA)

This qualitative longitudinal investigation examined why a home visiting program was not more effective. Findings indicated that home visits had a consistent structure and that home visitors emphasized their social support role, placing little emphasis on changing parenting behavior. It was suggested that the program's flawed theory of change,…

Focus groups with five sets of stakeholders (middle school students, high school students, school staff, agency representatives, parents) identified beliefs, values, and issues related to school safety. The following themes were accompanied by recommendations: communication among stakeholders, teacher discipline procedures, redefinition of…

Presents findings of a project that interviewed students and staff at five Georgia elementary schools to discover students' attitudes toward their schools and teachers. Some students expressed powerlessness; some felt they could make a difference. Issues involving friendship, fairness, and fun predominated. Teachers must participate in their own…

In February 1995, a group of six teachers from various countries met at East Carolina University to discuss school safety and discipline issues. Although school environments differ, all teachers agreed that gaining the student's heart was a more effective classroom-management technique than fear or intimidation. All prized laughter and disliked…

Interviewed 53 parents of center-city families in focus groups to obtain information about encouraging participation of difficult-to-reach families in intervention to prevent marital problems and alcohol and substance abuse in children. Mothers and fathers expressed widely different beliefs, indicating that interventions might target mothers and…

Describes the use of student focus groups to review and evaluate an interdisciplinary undergraduate program. Asserts that this technique reveals more significant information than using machine scorable tests. Concludes that the instructors' role is the most important factor in student attitudes toward a course. (CFR)

Explores sources of drugs and weapons for a group of pre-adolescents living in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Chicago using a focus group and a self-administered survey. At least one-third of the sample of fifth-grade students responded that it was easy for people their age to obtain each of the products. Neighborhood sources were the most likely…

A literature review and telephone interviews with exemplar university staff informants identified benchmarks to assess the degree of reform at four doctoral-granting Midwestern universities. Data analysis revealed three themes: political, professional, and curricular. Universities' efforts ranged from unreformed and transitional to progressive and…

Reports on the quantitative findings from a survey of Cornell University undergraduates and on qualitative findings from a prior focus group that investigated computer literacy and the most effective methods to learn computer-literacy skills. Implications for supporting student computing needs are discussed. (LRW)

Recounts concerns and issues raised in a series of focus-group meetings with six middle school teachers. Concerns focused on perceptions of the self-contained and inclusion models of special-education service delivery, instructional adaptations and modifications in inclusive classrooms, needed resources, the importance of community, collaboration,…

Investigates the perception that humanists are not as enamored with technology as their peers in other disciplines. Uses focus-group interviews with humanities faculty at an east coast university to examine their access to technology, technological skill and interest, concerns about digitized texts and art works, views on the digital library of…

Describes three practical strategies for implementing peer consultation to improve college instruction using procedures implemented at the Air Force Academy (Colorado). The strategies are (1) small-group instructional diagnosis; (2) interactive student focus groups; and (3) classroom observations. (DB)

This introductory monograph in this volume on research and practice in higher education reports a study that examined perspectives (shared, differing, or divergent) of practitioners and researchers on higher education literature. The study found these groups had noticeably different viewpoints. However, results suggest that both researchers and…

A randomized survey of Kentucky college and university faculty showed they were more familiar with the Kentucky Education Reform Act's goals than with assessment or accountability issues. Most support restructuring goals but do not believe that KERA-educated students will be better prepared to enter their institutions than formerly. KERA has not…