The support of the Ford Foundation for higher education research, and specifically policy-oriented studies, is discussed. The first commonality of Ford Foundation-sponsored policy studies is the existence of a commonly perceived problem (e.g., the Commission on Minorities studied equity/affirmative action). A second commonality of Ford's work is…

A study was conducted to identify broad areas of concern related to the mission of Shelby State Community College (SSCC) in Memphis, Tennessee, and to compare the extent to which specific institutional goals were being carried out and ought to be carried out according to particular college constituencies. A 50-item institutional goal survey was…

Summer Tech '83 was a joint venture of the College of Education of Ohio State University and the Columbus Ohio Public Schools to provide instruction on the use of microcomputers to citizens of the Columbus metropolitan area. For 4 weeks 53 different 10-hour classes were offered in 7 broad areas: introductory computer literacy, programing, word…

Intended as a tool for non-formal education practitioners and researchers in identifying a range of relatively fugitive material, this bibliography includes 1,779 references to descriptive and analytical materials concerning the use of the performing arts as a medium for education and social change in the Third World. An introductory essay offers…

Drawing from data on ethnic enrollments in colleges and universities in the United States published in the "Chronicle of Higher Education," this report provides lists of the colleges and universities with total fall 1984 enrollment of 20,000 or more that had the highest and lowest numbers of Black and Hispanic students. Specifically, the lists…

This paper reviews empirical findings from recent social impact assessments (SIAs) conducted in Arizona, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming where energy development occurred in the 1970s and points out efficient research strategies for policy decisions. Topics covered by the SIAs include characteristics of…

This test of theory of opinion leadership in a low-income environment addressed three questions: (1) whether opinion leaders exist, their characteristics, and their role in information dissemination; (2) what the information world of this population is; and (3) whether this population views the library as a source of useful information. (EM)

Reports on a study of 295 academically gifted students enrolled in four midwestern community colleges. Considers student demographics, high school background, perceptions of quality of instruction, and involvement in honors programs. Discusses implications for practice. (DMM)

Postcard survey responses indicated 66 percent of 222 South Dakota elementary principals thought AIDS prevention should be taught (grade 5 would be most appropriate for introduction), 42 percent were confident of community support, 63 percent favored such education in health classes, and 78 percent had no plan to deal with AIDS students in their…

The Reading (Pennsylvania) School District, in conjunction with local youth and family services, has developed a program to address the needs of unwed mothers. Its goals are to reduce their dropout rate and to provide support services including child care, transportation, counseling, health care, and instruction in parenthood skills.(TE)

Data from the Phi Delta Kappa Commission on Public Confidence in Education indicate that "high-confidence" schools make greater use of marketing and public relations strategies. Teacher attitudes were ranked first and administrator attitudes second by 409 respondents for both gain and loss of confidence in schools. (MLF)

Stores (n=120) in Chicago (Illinois) were targeted for enforcement of prohibitions on selling cigarettes to minors. Enforcement schedules of 2, 4, and 6 months were effective in reducing illegal sales, from 86% to 19%, 87% to 34%, and 87% to 42%, respectively, indicating the effectiveness of regular enforcement of civil penalties for tobacco sales…

Explains the Monitor Model of adult second-language development. Describes a study conducted at Queens College to assess the value of mandatory reading laboratory attendance for English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) students. (DMM)

Reports on a study of the impact of service learning on the moral development of 70 undergraduate students. Finds that those with service learning experience showed a significantly higher rate of growth on a moral development measure than those who did not participate. Makes recommendations for further research. (CFR)

Conducts an ethnographic study, collecting life stories from people with mental retardation living at London's L' Arche community (a center of group homes with disabled and nondisabled residents). Uses Robert Cole's methodology of interpretive narrative, and explains the procedure. Argues that these life stories provide insight that can help…