Rural schools in high-poverty areas are often understaffed. This descriptive phenomenological study examined fourth-grade state research projects in high-poverty rural Iowa schools to reveal the influence of school librarians' staffing levels on student learning of research skills. To determine evidence of students' critical literacy, ethical use…

While family and consumer sciences (FCS) programs in secondary schools may be in jeopardy and, simultaneously, with the public outcry to improve essential skills for independent living, this study reaffirms the critical role school counselors play in assisting students in their high school course selections and, ultimately, their career choices.…

For successful and productive careers, undergraduate students need effective communication and critical thinking skills; information literacy is a substantial component in the development of these skills. Students often perceive communication courses as distinct and separate from their chosen discipline. Faculty from the Departments of English and…

Quality labor market data and analysis is critical to developing effective market-driven workforce and economic strategies in states, regions, and localities. Such information can be complex, intimidating, and overwhelming to many users, however. This issue brief offers a framework for understanding workforce information, including a summary of…

When flood came to Cedar Rapids city, the Cedar Rapids Public Library (CRPL), IA, lost 160,000 items including large parts of its adult and youth collections, magazines, newspapers, reference materials, CDs, and DVDs. Most of its public access computers were destroyed as was its computer lab and microfilm equipment. The automatic circulation and…

Methodology: There is no national source of data or information on the federal role in funding and oversight for public PK-12 school facilities. To address this shortcoming, 21st Century School Fund has prepared this study with the support of the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities. In collecting data and information for this report,…

Reports on a comparison of processes used by adult educators to decide where to get information in two statewide programs in Iowa. (JOW)

Iowa nurses in long-term and home-health-care settings (n=53) were interested in continuing-education programs and teleconferences on the following Alzheimer's disease topics: challenging behaviors, family needs, case management, long-term care services, and new developments. Teleconferences were a viable strategy for isolated rural nurses. (SK)

An Iowa extension survey of 869 farming clients who received one-on-one consultations showed that nearly half made operational changes and/or saved money using on consultants' recommendations. Only 2% were not satisfied with the information received. Although extension largely uses group methods, the substantial effectiveness of individual…

A study was conducted to find out how the topics of the Nineteenth Amendment and women's suffrage were handled at the time by news publications in rural areas. Several components were used to carry out the objective: one was to investigate newspaper coverage of the amendment and in addition broaden that search to include women's suffrage; another…

This guide is intended to assist planners in developing and using labor market and occupational information when assessing the need for and planning occupational training programs. The first chapter discusses the responsibilities of various federal, state, and local entities for developing labor market information. Special attention is given to…

Iowans were asked where they would go if they needed certain kinds of information. Iowans also were asked whether they had recently found those same kinds of information in various media. The survey focused on these five kinds of information: family nutrition, personal and family relationships, home energy conservation, managing family and…

Since opposition to media coverage of local government can be powerful, a reporter covering municipal and county affairs in Iowa should be familiar with access to information laws. Chapter 28A of the Iowa Code provides that "reasonable" public notice precede all governing board meetings and specifies that the time, date, place, and…

Surveys over 700 Iowa farmers regarding their use of teletext and videotex technologies. Finds that for younger, higher-income farmers, these technologies are emerging as a "best source" for relatively perishable or highly volatile information like market prices; otherwise, these technologies complement rather than replace existing…