A detailed assessment of the average class size in Massachusetts public schools is provided in this report, which includes the means and ranges of average class size and a description of class size across grade levels, subject area, and community type. Data were collected from the Chapter 188 Individual School Report (1987-88), an annual survey of…

Data are presented describing expenditures for personal health services in Michigan from 1977 to 1981. The rapid growth in expenditures is illustrated, as well as the rates of growth in expenditures, for major categories of health services. Personal health expenditures are defined as payments for care directly provided to patients: specifically,…

Although the decennial census provides poverty figures for states and other subnational geographic units, their utility declines over the course of a decade, causing interest in producing postcensus estimates for a variety of indicators. This study extends recent efforts to estimate postcensus poverty figures for states using multiple regression…

Used a suite of Rasch measurement techniques to meet competing demands in establishing statewide benchmarks relating to the School Opinion Survey carried out over 1,200 government schools in 1 Australian state. Solutions to a variety of measurement and reporting problems were all found within the Rasch family of models. (SLD)

Examines to what degree variation in average teacher salaries is caused by differences across states in cost of living, teachers' personal characteristics, job characteristics, and educational demand. Uses results to adjust the average salaries and computes new, significantly different state rankings based on these adjustments. (19 references)…

Findings of three studies that investigated the extent of school restructuring in American schools are presented in this paper. The data are combined from three different sources: (1) a national survey of 268 schools nominated for their successful restructuring programs; (2) a survey of 100 restructuring proposals submitted to a funding…

Primary findings of the Maine Student Drug Survey, administered during the academic year 1995-96, are presented. Highlights of the study findings, selected prevalence findings, selected risk and protective factor findings, policy recommendations, and recommendations for future research are presented. The questionnaire and the study are described…

This study determined the prominent brands of microcomputers presently in use in Southeast Texas schools, the reasons for their selection, and computer use and brands in relation to grade level. Questionnaires related to microcomputer use were sent to 115 school districts in southeast Texas in 1985. The return rate was 83 percent. A total of 8,258…

In 1989, a survey was conducted of community college presidents in Kansas to assemble information on community college practices concerning board of trustee meetings and communication. Seventeen of the 19 college presidents surveyed returned usable questionnaires. Study findings included the following: (1) only four of the responding presidents…

A study sought to examine the current status of teacher supply in Louisiana, with special attention to the number of black and minority teachers and education majors. Ethnographic research procedures were used to identify trends and factors in the decline in the supply of education students and teachers in Louisiana. Methods included: analysis of…

The debate over whether the 50 states are meaningful units for macro-sociological research has mostly been conducted on the basis of deductive reasoning. Three sets of analyses that are intended to provide much needed empirical data on this issue were studied. The first set involved all variables in the "County and City Data Book" used…

According to a formula developed to measure the adequacy of state educational finance levels, only three of six selected midwestern states provided adequate levels of expenditure per pupil in 1981-82. The formula for determining adequacy, developed by Jerry Miner and Walter McMahon, consists of totaling adequate levels of expenditure in seven…

Presents the results of two surveys, undertaken in 1984 and 1985, which were designed to assess the status of social studies in the United States. Results show a great diversity of practices along with varying degrees of state power and influence over the local curriculum. (JDH)

Nearly every state is in fiscal crisis. A slow-growing national economy, a decrease in state tax collections, and a rise in health-care costs are three of the main factors that have created massive budget shortfalls, according to this report. The 2002 edition of this annual survey presents aggregate and individual data on the states' general fund…

This document analyzes a study done by the Center for the Study of Community Colleges (CSCC), which examined transfer rates in the VCCS. The document provides definitions for transfer rate, academic performance, and completion rate as they are used in the study. The study answers the following questions: (1) which pool of students were used in the…