This report on the status of undergraduate programs in environmental science (ES) comprises information from 76 of 262 institutions that offer a bachelors degree in ES. The following areas are discussed (1) administrative arrangements, (2) curriculum requirements, (3) enrollments, and (4) directors' perceptions of the problems and positive aspects…

The image and effectiveness of an economics and business department at a medium-sized Christian liberal arts college were assessed, in order to assist in departmental planning for the future. Using goals from the extended mission statement of the department, two groups of graduates were surveyed, 421 recent graduates who had graduated between 1…

Interpreting, or oral translation, can be used in undergraduate second language study as a technique for developing oral skills. The technique can produce both sound linguistic judgment and confident oral and written performance that last beyond testing. It integrates four essential elements of oral/aural skills: comprehension, phonology/fluency,…

An examination of the principles and techniques of oral testing in British university-level final examinations in modern languages discusses: (1) the shortcomings of present oral testing procedures; (2) the theoretical controversy surrounding the design and value of oral proficiency tests, arising from research in English as a second language…

This report presents data and findings from a 5-year follow-up study to an earlier 16-year (1974-1989) longitudinal study of trends in the hiring and promotion of female faculty within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The two studies have produced an information base on full-time faculty in the state system from 1974-75 through…

This collection of graphs and text, part of a series describing the public colleges and universities in Virginia, are intended to answer the question, "What is it like to be a student at a public college or university in Virginia?" Most graphs provide data for fall 1995 and are broken down by individual four-year institution and the…

In New Mexico, the demand for well-educated employees will only increase over the next several years. In the decade leading up to 2012, healthcare occupations will see growth of 32 percent. Teachers will be in high demand: nearly 12,380 educators (including librarians) will need to be hired. Managers will see their ranks swell by 21 percent; when…

This consultants' report reviews the New College of the University of South Florida, a small liberal arts college which is unusual in its lack of specific general education requirements, and its attention to independent study. After reviewing a considerable list of strengths, concerns are identified including the need to ensure that every student…

This study evaluated the shortage of special education teachers in Oklahoma and presented a long term plan to meet this need. The study examined: (1) teacher shortages by category and geographic location in Oklahoma; (2) availability of individuals with the potential to be special education teachers; and (3) innovative recruitment and retention…

Policy recommendations regarding free tuition for the City University of New York (CUNY) as proposed by the Committee for Public Higher Education, (CPHE), and a research report by Richard Rothbard, are presented. Based on Rothbard's investigation, "The Cost of Tuition: A Study of the City University of New York," CPHE recommends the…

This report describes a longitudinal evaluation of an on-going 5-year program at the University of Michigan to improve minority student retention and academic performance. The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) creates research partnerships between first- and second-year students and faculty researchers, and provides peer…

The nature of changes occurring in professional degree programs, resulting from environmental factors such as societal change, competition, and advancing technology, is examined. Focus is on accounting and engineering at the baccalaureate level, business and law at the graduate level. Application of Total Quality Management to curriculum…

Purpose: While a number of universities in Australia have embraced concepts such as project/problem-based learning and design of innovative learning environments for engineering education, there has been a lack of national guidance on including sustainability as a "critical literacy" into all engineering streams. This paper was presented…

This study uses iterative solution techniques to determine empirically optimal standards for student to faculty ratios by discipline and student level for a group of 11 public, research universities, all of whom were members of the Association of American Universities. One set of benchmark standards was based on four-variable solutions within…

This report on outcomes in New Jersey's public colleges and universities has the following key findings: (1) total undergraduate enrollment decreased by approximately 15,000 students between 1992 and 1997 as a result of declining part-time enrollment and despite an increase of 8,000 in full-time undergraduate enrollment during the same period; (2)…