This bibliography includes articles and books that discuss the theory behind study circles, describe successful study circle programs, and explain how to develop reading materials for study circles. Some of the entries discuss related subjects such as how people learn in groups, democracy, public opinion, and issue forums. Researchers, adult…

This paper presents organizational strategies and implementation methods for conversion to middle school organization (scheduled to take place in 1988) in the Johnson City, Tennessee, school system. Carried out by the district in partnership with local institutions of higher education, the study focuses on what is educationally best for the child…

Designed to assist Illinois public community colleges in satisfying state and federal reporting requirements, this handbook provides guidelines for conducting vocational education follow-up studies and reporting data. Following introductory information, an overview is presented of the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) Management Information…

Perceptions of the political behavior of superintendents in New Mexico vary widely throughout the state. Questionnaires and interviews were used to gather information from superintendents, school board chairmen, and state legislators concerning the frequency, extent, and kinds of political activity in which superintendents were involved. Four…

This analysis assesses alternative explanations of the robust enrollment growth in community colleges in the 1970's, part of a larger trend of increased vocationalization of education. The conventional explanation is that community colleges offer the most appropriate training for rapidly increasing jobs requiring middle-level skills. Various other…

Drawing from a variety of sources, this fact book highlights current data on community, technical, and junior colleges and looks at the social and demographic indicators bearing on the future of these institutions. First, an introductory section highlights major trends in enrollments, student characteristics, educational outcomes, finances, and…

During the summer of 1982, 218 randomly-selected migrant farmworkers in Wayne County, New York were interviewed to determine the significant factors affecting use of health services among migrant farmworkers. Three groups were identified: immigrants, recent migrants, and long-term migrants. Medical utilization patterns, use of community medical…

Reports on a survey of the perceptions of 71 2-year college faculty teaching off-campus credit courses. Though confronted with unusual schedules, facilities, and support services, 83 percent reported students learned as much or more than they would on campus. Results were similar for faculty teaching off-campus courses at other types of…

This study of community-based instruction with 34 high school students with moderate to profound mental retardation found (1) students made significant gains in 3 of 4 independent behavior domains; and (2) amount of community-based instruction was a more powerful predictor of gains than were intelligence quotient, level of student ambulation, or…

These two serial issues are devoted to the impact of computers on education, and specifically their effects on developmental education programs. First "The Effects of Computer-Based Instruction" summarizes the literature on the impact of computer-based instruction, including a study by James and Chen-Lin Kulik and Peter Cohen, which found that:…

Drawing on four examples of institutional research undertaken at San Joaquin Delta College (SJDC), this paper offers six principles to help researchers make their work more relevant and to enable decision makers to utilize research more effectively. The research examples provide brief descriptions of the need for, methodology of, and findings of…

This paper presents an example of "optimistic research," a qualitative approach which focuses on positive interventions helpful to practitioners, in this case an examination of programs successfully integrating people with severe disabilities. The study evaluated 40 programs through site visits which focus on observation, interviews, and…

This third volume of a six-volume study of a school district code-named "Milford" shifts attention to the Kensington School itself. To explain the "profound changes" this "once innovative school" went through, the authors begin with such wider topics as demography, neighborhoods, and political jurisdiction. Chapter 1 traces Milford's "Native…

A study was conducted to determine which variables influence "high risk" women students to persist to graduation from a community college and which variables influence "low risk" women students to drop out of college. The study involved in-depth qualitative interviews with 17 returning adult women over 24 years of age. Study findings supported…

While the world of teaching has been primarily female, the administration world has always been populated by men. While there are similarities in the backgrounds and experiences of males and females, the legacy of discrimination and exclusion has shaped a world in which women's experiences and behaviors are often unlike those of men. Research on…