This study used self-determination theory (SDT) to investigate the motivations for selecting a major among mass communication and media majors at 18 colleges and universities across the United States. Specifically, 669 mass communication majors were queried on their intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for choosing a major, their degree of major…

Undergraduate students' perceptions of their presences in online learning environments are critical in creating online courses that can best enhance their learning. Hence, understanding how learners perceive their presences in the online environment could assist course designers and instructors in creating quality online learning experiences. The…

This report collects the results of all available empirical studies using the best available scientific methods to measure how school vouchers affect academic outcomes for participants, and all available studies on how vouchers affect outcomes in public schools. Contrary to the widespread claim that vouchers do not benefit participants and hurt…

The purpose of the Synchronous Interactive Video Conference Distance Learning pilot program was to use emerging technologies to expand learning opportunities for students at an urban public high school. Through grant funding, students were able to enroll in Advanced Placement and foreign language courses through an online learning provider. Using…

Policymakers are increasingly adopting "pay-for-performance" policies in which teachers are compensated based on their performance as measured by classroom evaluations and/or student achievement test results. Prior research has produced largely inconclusive findings concerning support among teachers for these policies and their effects…

The Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) is a rapidly expanding network of public charter schools whose mission is to improve the education of low-income children. As of the 2012-2013 school year, 125 KIPP schools are in operation in 20 different states and the District of Columbia (DC). Ultimately, KIPP's goal is to prepare students to enroll and…

This article reports the results of a survey of novice superintendents in California, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio. The research provides a profile of novice superintendents and their opinions regarding the adequacy of academic preparation and the problems they encountered after entering this challenging position. Findings indicate that the…

During the 2009-10 academic year, 1,444 8th grade students in the Canton City, Plain and Marlington Local School Districts (hereafter called Stark students) took the EXPLORE Test as part of a pilot project, "Ready to Go: Increasing Eighth Grade Readiness," sponsored by the Stark Education Partnership with funding from the Ohio College…

In order to contribute to the sparse literature on factors associated with crime in rural communities, an exploratory study analyzed the relation between demographic, social, and economic factors of selected rural townships in Ohio and their rates of crime. Data for the study were collected from three sources: daily offense reports from nine Ohio…

The purpose of this study was to compare attitudes of secondary school teachers in 28 Ohio counties (considered by the Appalachian Regional Commission to be a part of Appalachia) with those of teachers in the remaining 60 counties. A questionnaire of 122 items, 94 of which were attitudinal, was used with a random sample of 600 teachers, 300 each…

As the second assessment study of developmental education programs at state-assisted higher education institutions, this 1978 study reviews reports from 27 of 57 programs receiving funds from the Ohio legislature. Reports dealing with attitudes and opinions of the programs indicated that the responses of the majority of students were strongly…

Rural farm residents from central Ohio were administered a follow-up survey to ascertain the social impact (post shock) of a 1970-1974 lake development project which necessitated the acquisition of 8,800 acres of privately owned land and the physical relocation of approximately 90 families. A random sampled consisted of 89 restructured community…