Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

The Institution As A Citizen: How Colleges And Universities Enhance Their Civic Roles, Nancy L. Thomas

New England Resource Center for Higher Education Publications

This paper is premised on the assumption that civic responsibility is the contemporary version of higher education's historical outreach mission. With that as an understanding, it considers how best colleges and universities can fulfill this commitment of service to external communities, broadly defined to include local, national, and international concerns. The paper offers typologies of ways that institutions structure academic outreach, responsive curricula, land-grant and extension school programs, faculty professional service, coordinating student volunteerism and encouraging public access to campus for athletic or cultural events. Institutions interested in enhancing their civic role can take from this paper strategies for enhancing …

The Status Of Faculty Professional Service And Academic Outreach In New England, Sharon Singleton, Cathy Burack, Deborah Hirsch

New England Resource Center for Higher Education Publications

In 1994 the New England Resource Center for Higher Education surveyed New England colleges and universities about the professional service faculty are engaging in, and the policies and structures that support such activities. Information was obtained from 120 institutions. As seen through a wide lens, there is considerable institutional commitment to faculty professional service. A majority of respondents reported that service is both a stated part of their institutional mission and that faculty, administrators and staff supported that commitment. However, a sharper focus reveals a gap between statements and practice: only a third of the respondents were able to demonstrate …

Rewarding Faculty Professional Service, Kerryann O’Meara

New England Resource Center for Higher Education Publications

Scholars of higher education have long recognized that existing reward systems and structures in academic communities do not weight faculty professional service as they do teaching and research. In the past five years, however, many colleges and universities have found innovative ways to define, document, and evaluate faculty professional service in traditional promotion and tenure systems. Other institutions have created or expanded alternate faculty reward systems, including faculty profiles in service, merit pay, and post-tenure reviews emphasizing service. Based on data from a nation-wide sample, this paper discusses innovations in rewarding faculty professional service and offers conclusions and recommendations.

A Study Of School Disturbance In The United States: A Twentieth Century Perspective, Part Two, Gordon A. Crews

Criminal Justice Faculty Research

In 1989, President George Bush. and the Nation's fifty governors, held a historic education summit that culminated in the adoption of six National Education Goals. These six broad goals were intended to serve as a framework for future reform efforts. The sixth goal of the United States' National Educational Goals states:

By the year 2000, every school in America will be free of drugs and violence and will offer a disciplined environment conducive to learning. The stated objectives are: Every school will implement a firm and fair policy on use, possession, and distribution of drugs and alcohol. Parents, businesses, and …

Teacher Perspectives Of Student Transitioning In Special Education From Correctional Facilities To Public Schools, Elanor B. Mccormack

Theses & Honors Papers

The purpose of this study was to explore correctional special education teachers' and public high school special education teachers ' perspectives of student transitioning from correctional facilities back to public schools. The point of interest was regarding what information these two groups of teachers believe to be important for transitioning to occur more smoothly from correctional education to the public schools.

Surveys were distributed to the two groups of teachers. Respondents indicated the need for collaboration between correctional facilities and public schools. They also indicated the need for transference of information about the student prior to the student's arrival in …

Notes On Higher Education In The 1990s, Zelda F. Gamson

New England Journal of Public Policy

This article consists of a series of essays written for The Academic Workplace, the newsletter of the New England Resource Center for Higher Education, since 1990. The backdrop for the essays is the increasing inequality in higher education caused by changes in the political economy of higher education, especially in New England. The first essay analyzes the roots of contemporary faculty dissatisfaction with their work lives by tracing the impacts of the expansion of higher education, changes in the student body, and greater government involvement in higher education. Subsequent essays discuss multicultural education, faculty shortages, political correctness, responses to …

The School Improvement Industry: A Case Study Of Framingham, Abigail Jurist Levy

New England Journal of Public Policy

This study looked at school improvement in the Framingham public schools from three perspectives. We were interested in finding out if the administration and school committee, local businesses with an interest in education, and agencies that provide training and technical assistance to schools have similar ideas regarding how the Framingham schools should improve. We conducted interviews with administrators and members of the school committee, local businesses and businesses involved in school/business partnerships, and six agencies that provide training and technical support to schools in the Greater Boston area. We found that although all groups shared many interests, the businesses and …

The Impact Of School Spending On Student Achievement: Results Of Meap Statewide Tests, Robert D. Gaudet

New England Journal of Public Policy

Examining school spending and student achievement as measured by the Massachusetts Educational Assessment Program tests on a community-by-community basis indicates that high spending in and of itself does not ensure achievement. While every community must have adequate funding to deliver an acceptable level of education services, there is a wide variation in achievement in similar communities with similar spending. The data suggest that other factors influence outcomes at least as much as spending.

Affirmative Action Strategies In Elementary And Secondary Schools, Abigail Therstrom

New England Journal of Public Policy

Disproportionate numbers of black students do poorly on standardized tests; strategies to improve American education thus frequently target inner-city schools. These strategies often have an unrecognized affirmative action component. A search for more minority students or teachers is clearly an affirmative action effort. But the elimination of all tracking or competency grouping is another matter. Normally viewed as nothing more than a pedagogical strategy, it, like other affirmative action efforts, amounts to a conscious effort to alter the low-track status of minority pupils. Similarly, the demand for curricular reforms, racial sensitivity training, and more culturally "appropriate" tests, while not obviously …

Naep State Reports In Mathematics: Valuable Information For Monitoring Education Reform, Ronald K. Hambleton, Sharon F. Cadman

New England Journal of Public Policy

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), a congressionally mandated program, can provide valuable data to educational policymakers in Massachusetts and other New England states about the status of their educational reform initiatives and their performance standards. The three purposes of this article are to describe NAEP and its goals and structure, to present some of the results of the 1992 Mathematics NAEP Assessment as an example of the utility of this national assessment program, and to highlight ways in which background data collected by NAEP can be helpful in interpreting assessment results and monitoring educational reform. The six New …

Motivating The Reluctant Teen Reader To Use The High School Library, Mary Ellen Vartheuer

All Graduate Projects

Twenty reluctant teen readers were surveyed to determine their library needs and interests. Interviews with twelve high school librarians yielded suggestions for motivating high school students to read. Input from these two sources was used in developing a library program consisting of motivational activities, designed to encourage young adults to use their high school library and to read more. The resulting library program and a list of library materials ordered to meet the needs of these specific students are included.

Ua3/8/6 Report Of The Task-Force On Part-Time Faculty, Wku President's Office-Meredith

WKU Administration Documents

During the 1991 fall semester, President Thomas Meredith appointed a Task Force on Part-Time Faculty at WKU. He requested that the task force conduct a study and make recommendations to the university regarding such issues as part-time faculty compensation and benefits, rates of usage, quality of instruction, orientation and evaluation and administration and budgeting. The study was stimulated, in part, by the fact that the university has in recent years reached historic highs in the use of part-time faculty.

Family Life Education In The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In The 20th Century: A Historical Review, Ray W. Stringham

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis reviewed selected educational literature in almost 350 texts published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) from General Authorities and manuals which included content curriculum in adult family life education; for the adult women's organization (Relief Society); for the men's Melchizedek Priesthood; and for parents instructing their children at home (Family Home Evening).

Topics were ranked by century, according to frequencies of occurrence (FO) in the five major publications. Topics were also summarized by each decade. Tables were provided which summarized the top 40 of 78 topics identified. Recurring Themes suggest family is the basis …

The Status Of Black And Hispanic Faculty In Massachusetts Colleges And Universities, Sandra E. Elman

New England Resource Center for Higher Education Publications

To implement policies and programs that facilitate recruitment and retention of minority faculty, educators and policymakers must first determine the status of Blacks and Hispanics in the Commonwealth's colleges and universities. The principal objective of this report is to provide that knowledge.

The study has a dual purpose: to develop a data base on the availability of and demand for Black and Hispanic faculty in Massachusetts institutions of higher education, and to enhance our understanding of the strategies and programs required to foster recruitment and retention of underrepresented faculty. Furthermore, it seeks to identify hiring trends in different types of …

The Mission Of Metropolitan Universities In The Utilization Of Knowledge: A Policy Analysis, Ernest Lynton

New England Resource Center for Higher Education Publications

In the ecology of knowledge in modern society, efforts to enhance the utilization of knowledge are every bit as essential and as challenging as activities toward the creation of knowledge. An emphasis on the utilization of knowledge provides the defining mission of comprehensive or metropolitan universities. It demands a broadened conception of scholarship, and a high degree of interaction. In order to fulfill their mission, these institutions must develop appropriate internal and external bridging mechanisms, and make appropriate adaptations in the preparation, evaluation, and rewards of their faculty.

Perceptions Of Selected Indiana Superintendents On The Issue Of Comparing Student Achievement Test Scores, Isaac Barako Gimah

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates selected Indiana school superintendents' perceptions of student evaluation using standardized and teacher-made tests. In the survey instrument used for the study, superintendents' perceptions of student testing were verified from the perspectives of their age, experience and school district location. The survey instrument also incorporated questions intended to identify participating superintendents' opinions on student evaluation with tests from their educational beliefs, assumptions, and philosophical orientations. Two hundred Indiana school superintendents were selected to participate in the study. The method of selection was the stratified random sampling technique. Responses from sixty-nine percent of the two hundred participating superintendents were …

Parent Participation In The Educational Process And Student Achievement, Linda Worrell Deans

Theses and Dissertations in Urban Services - Urban Education

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of parental involvement between parent and child as well as between parent and school. After the level of parent participation was established, the data set was used to determine whether a relationship exists between the level of parental involvement and student achievement at selected secondary urban schools. The selected secondary schools include two different school divisions.

The study employed five approaches: (1) a descriptive analysis of the variables of parental interaction with the child as it relates to a personal, affective level; a monitoring level; and a social level; as …

3. Toward A Cognitive Theory For The Measu Rement Of Achievement, Robert Glaser, Alan Lesgold, Susanne Lajoie

The Influence of Cognitive Psychology on Testing

INTRODUCTION

Given the demands for higher levels of learning in our schools and the press for education in the skilled trades, the professions, and the sciences, we must develop more powerful and specific methods for assessing achievement. We need forms of assessment that educators can use to improve educational practice and to diagnose individual progress by monitoring the outcomes of learning and training. Compared to the well-developed technology for aptitude measurement and selection testing, however, the measurement of achievement and diagnosis of learning problems is underdeveloped. This is because the correlational models that support prediction are insufficient for the task …

5. The Assessment Of Cognitive Factors In Academic Abilities, Stephen L. Benton, Kenneth A. Kiewra

The Influence of Cognitive Psychology on Testing

Nearly 30 years ago, Lee Cronbach (1957) distinguished between the two disciplines of correlational psychology, which investigated naturally occurring individual variance in behavior, and experimental psychology, which examined the effectiveness of certain treatments on behavior. Essentially, correlational psychology examined individual differences using factor analytic techniques; whereas experimental psychology attempted to eliminate individual differences using appropriate interventions. Cronbach believed that these two disciplines should join together to promote aptitude-treatment interaction (A Tl) research that would identify effective treatments for certain types of individuals. With this combined approach, different treatments could be prescribed for skilled and less skilled individuals.

The A Tl …

The Organization Of A Learning Resource Center At The Christian And Missionary Alliance Church In Ellensburg, Washington, Robert Neil Gordon

All Graduate Projects

This paper presents an investigation into providing a model and designing and organizing a learning resource center (LRC) for the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. Including existing and potential resources and/or media used in teaching and general church ministries, the plan makes provision for systematically using these resources by evaluation. Recommendations for the learning resource center were based on the review of related literature, the philosophy, goals and objectives of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church and input from church members.

The Educational Condition Of Black Males In Florida: An Exploratory Study, Florida Institute Of Education

Florida Institute of Education

The Florida Institute of Education exploratory study of the educational condition of black males in Florida focused on data, public testimony and expert opinion gathered and analyzed in an effort to identify causes of the markedly low academic access, achievement, and program completion exhibited by black male students within our state's system(s) of primary, secondary and postsecondary education. PALMM.

The Relationship Of Leisure Reading And Television Viewing Time To Reading And General Achievement Among Fourth Grade Students, Diane Goodrich

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship that exists between the amount of time spent reading in the home and achievement scores; and, the relationship that exists between the amount of time spent viewing television and achievement scores among fourth grade pupils in an Iowa community. More precisely, the questions that were asked are: Is there a significant relationship between the amount of time spent on reading in the home and the reading and comprehensive scores as measured by the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) among fourth grade boys and girls? Likewise, is there a significant …

Lincoln School: Evaluation Of Learning Resources And Five-Year Plan For Improvement, Gilbert Dale Hanneken

Masters Theses

No abstract provided by author.

The Effect Of A Learning Skills Course Including Group Counseling On Low Achievers In The Community College, Paul E. Borg

All Master's Theses

A Learning Skills course consisting of study skills, goal direction, and self-understanding was tested among volunteer community college low achievers. Treatment integrated didactic, group discussion, and affective experiences in 18 hour-long sessions. Nineteen subjects received treatment; 25 subjects formed a matched control group; and 41 non-volunteers formed two additional control groups. An apparent trend toward GPA improvement was noted for all groups, but all measurements on GPA and a study survey were non-significant.

An Investigation Of Library Skills Acquired By Fifth Grade Students At Harvard Elementary School, Franklin Pierce District, Tacoma, Washington, Larry D. Rodahl

All Master's Theses

This study investigates two factors that were assumed to influence the amount and kind of library skills acquired by fifth grade students during the period of two consecutive years at Harvard Elementary School . The two factors were teacher-librarian cooperation and library availability.

A Comparative Study Of The Definition Of Role Of School Library/Media Specialists As Defined By The Joint Committee Of Wsal-Wdavi-Wascd And By Practicing School Library Media Specialists Attending The 1971 Wdavi Spring Conference, Reginald Brian Sullivan

All Master's Theses

A study designed: (1) to determine whether the building level Role Definition produced by the ad hoc Joint Standards Committee was representative of the roles performed by the media personnel, and (2) to determine the role duties of district media personnel. The study showed the Role Definition to be representative and the district level proposal emphasizing administrative and coordinative responsibilities. It was recommended a future study be conducted to further the knowledge of the role/duties of district media personnel.

Developing Educational Specifications For Elementary Library Quarters In The Monroe School District, Earl Leroy Harding Jr.

All Master's Theses

This study is to assist in the development and construction of library quarters in the elementary schools of the Monroe School District, Monroe, Washington.

The First Year Of College: A Follow-Up Normative Report, David E. Drew, Alan E. Bayer, Alexander W. Astin, Robert F. Boruch, John A. Creager

CGU Faculty Publications and Research

The major purpose of this ongoing research program is to determine how students are affected by the colleges they attend (Astin, Panos, and Creager, 1966). Consequently, subsamples of the original groups of participating students have been periodically followed up. These follow-up surveys consist in part of post-tests on selected items administered previously in the Freshman Information Form and in part of items that cover the student's experiences and achievements at his institution, his aspirations and plans for the future, his perceptions and evaluations of the college environment, and his educational outcomes and academic standing.

A Survey Of Community Services Used By Students Enrolled In The Kirk-Cone Rehabilitation Center, 1965-1966, Audrey Hackett Crandall

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

No abstract.

Selected Factors Which Influence Church-Related Education In Developing Countries, Stuart Paul Berkeley

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

The general problem of this study was to investigate and analyze selected social, political, and economic factors in Ethiopia that affect the continuation and development of education by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. The specific purpose of this research was to develop from this analysis of Ethiopia those alternatives and recommendations which would aid Seventh-Day Adventist leaders in the development of plans for educational work in that country.

The basic question was: Can the Seventh-Day Adventists system of education plan for the social, political, and economic changes taking place in Ethiopia?