Literature on grading reveals that grading practices have not changed much since they were first introduced. However, with alternative approaches, such as standards-based grading, being introduced, it is important to look at how agricultural educators are using grades to evaluate student learning. The purpose of this study was to determine the…

Research provided a comprehensive descriptive analysis of the Iowa adult basic education (ABE) population. Data were collected through comprehensive interviews from a carefully drawn random sample (n=323) of those who completed less than 11 grades. A random subsample was followed up by telephone interview. The population was described on three…

This report describes a program designed to increase students' knowledge in the science content area utilizing reading comprehension strategies. The targeted population consisted of grade 6 middle school students in a growing urban community in eastern Iowa. The students demonstrated poor comprehension of their science textbook. Data also revealed…

The second phase of a three-phase study undertaken in Iowa provided a detailed analysis of the adult basic education/English-as-a-Second-Language (ABE/ESL) population. Objectives were to determine student motivation, segment the ESL population into groups based on group behavior, segment the population into groups based on ethnicity, and describe…

This dissertation examines various characteristics of 79 Iowa public high schools reporting success or failure in the use of flexible modular scheduling (FMS), based on questionnaire responses. FMS schools were defined as having a daily schedule of more than 14 modules and using either variable class times, large group, small group, or independent…

Rogers' diffusion of innovation model was used to examine the adoption and contribution of a web-based course management system at a college campus. This study surveyed 196 students. It was found that Rogers' model successfully explained the adoption of the innovation. The adoption of the innovation also led to increased interaction between…

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) documents dimensions of quality in undergraduate education and provides information and assistance to colleges, universities, and other organizations to improve student learning. Its primary activity is annually surveying college students to assess the extent to which they engage in educational…