Tested a structural model of mathematics achievement and attitude with a probability sample of 3,116 adolescents from the Longitudinal Study of American Youth. Concluded that prior achievement and home environment influenced subsequent achievement most powerfully and that previous attitude had the most powerful influence on subsequent attitude.…

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) integrated some of its national surveys of educational information into the Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS), which was initiated in 1987-88 and is being repeated at intervals to provide information about the nation's schools and their educators. The 1988-89 Teacher Followup Survey (TFS), a…

This sourcebook describes methods of dealing with dropouts in Oregon school districts. "At-risk youth" and "dropout" are defined and survey results of 98 percent of superintendents concerning program offerings are summarized. Data suggest that medium-size districts require greatest assistance. Despite increases in single-parent…

This study investigated the relationship between school staff job satisfaction or morale and a number of organizational changes and practices occurring at the Portsmouth (New Hampshire) Junior High School. The issues under examination included homogeneous vs. heterogeneous grouping, class length, school-within-a-school or teaming, department…

As part of a 45-state study, a self-administered questionnaire was mailed during the 1982-83 school year to 70 of Oklahoma's 237 public K-12 school districts enrolling fewer than 1,000 students; the questionnaire requested information about rural districts, teachers, students, and school programs. For the 45 responding districts, average student…

Beginning with a review of signs and signals of public attitudes toward American education over the last 15 years, this paper analyzes some concerns regarding public confidence in public schools. Following a brief introduction, issues involved in the definition and behavioral attributes of confidence are mentioned. A synopsis of three approaches…

This study was undertaken to assess the condition of school facilities in rural and small school districts in the 50 states and analyze the mechanisms used by rural and small school districts to finance capital outlay. The study is part of an ongoing effort to address concerns specific to rural and small schools in the United States. The focus of…

This study investigated the use of teacher perceptions of school effectiveness variables as part of the Pennsylvania state assessment program and briefly reviewed the teacher survey instrument development. Data were available for 155 of the 500 school districts from the 1985 Educational Quality Assessment administration. A norm sample included 111…

This qualitative case study assessed web-based instruction in a computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) course designed for workforce development. The study examined students' and instructors' experience in a CAD/CAM course delivered exclusively on the Internet, evaluating course content and delivery, clarity of…

Utilizes questionnaires to examine the various approaches to assessment used by inner city London, primary grade teachers. Specifically investigates assessment in English, mathematics, and science. Discovers a wide variety of approaches, both formal and informal. Discusses these findings in light of recent policy developments. (MJP)

Investigates motives behind Soviet students' occupational choices. Discusses a survey of eighth-grade students in Berdiansk and upper-grade, rural and urban Crimean students. Finds that student interests provide the main motive for choice. Differentiates between motives and stimuli and between personal and social motives. Reports that 20.6 percent…

Utilizes 19th-century census figures to reveal a more accurate and richer picture of womens' participation in the frontier work environment. Although the occupational classifications accurately reflected the rise of an industrial economy, they ignored womens' entrepreneurial rural efforts. Presents statistical data to rectify this situation. (MJP)

Providing an overview of research in the areas of diversity and multiculturalism among students and faculty in postsecondary institutions, this report examines: (1) changes in ethnicity among college students nationwide, including enrollment, participation, and completion rates by ethnic group; (2) participation, retention, and graduation rates by…

This report deals with a variety of ways that have been, or could be, used to interpret the scales used in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Policymakers, researchers, and other users of assessment results need to understand the methods used for reporting NAEP. Having a reference is particularly important as the methods of…

This report presents national data for 1990 on high school dropout and retention rates. The report uses the Current Population Survey and the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988. The three types of dropout rates discussed are: (1) event rates, (2) status rates, and (3) cohort rates. The report also examines high school completion and…