Developed a measure of the quality of student experiences at an Australian university using a Rasch measurement model. Data for 363 college students support the view that eight aspects of the experiences questionnaire are linked and that the questionnaire has good construct validity and reliability. (SLD)

The perceptions of 223 high school seniors were studied with regard to three sibling relationship characteristics: advice about life plans and personal problems; satisfaction with support; and sibling influence on interests and goals. Findings show that adolescents sometimes rely on their siblings for advice. (SLD)

Tested the dimensionality of a course evaluation instrument and examined the association between course participants' level of satisfaction and their likelihood of recommending the course to others. Findings for 9,101 teachers in Hong Kong show that the developed survey is capable of measuring a satisfaction factor. (SLD)

High school students in formal work-based mentoring (n=15), informal workplace mentoring (n-24), no mentoring (n=23), or no employment (n-28) were compared. At year's end, formally mentored students believed more strongly in school's relevance to work. Mentored students had higher self-esteem than the unemployed. Those highly satisfied with…

The intensive case management service provided by a mental health consumer team of case managers was compared to services of nonconsumer case managers. Results from 91 clients with serious mental illness found significant differences in outcomes after a year only in the areas of patient satisfaction and contact with family. (SLD)

The influence of demographic variables on the quality of life was studied for 1,805 persons with chronic mental illness. In general, predicted variations in quality of life experiences based on studies of the general population were not upheld, and modest demographic influences were noted. (SLD)

Supporters and opponents of transracial adoption agree that minority children have a right and a need to develop a sense of ethnic identity and a knowledge of their cultural heritage. Maintains that questionable social and psychiatric assumptions are used to justify this position and deny the legitimacy of transracial adoption. (MDM)

An Australian survey of 2,339 technical-and-further-education (TAFE) students revealed differing perceptions by age, gender, and group membership of student services and amenities. Employment and information services and facilities were highest priority. They were most satisfied with information, learning, and counseling services and least…

Analyzes an existing longitudinal survey of adolescent mothers (N=315). Data from Time 1 were used to predict victimization reported in the year between Time 1 and Time 2. Explores factors that increased the likelihood of reported sexual victimization at Time 2 and factors that reduce the risk of victimization. Investigates risk factors for…

Roommate satisfaction and ethnic identity was examined among randomly assigned roommate dyads at a large, public, predominantly white, southeastern university. Racial composition of roommate dyads, ethnic pride and other-group orientation were significant predictors of roommate satisfaction. Discusses implications for practice and suggestions for…

In children's mental health, collaborative, team-based individualized service planning is most commonly known as wraparound, and has become one of the primary strategies for improving services and outcomes for children with the highest levels of need. We report on analyses of data gathered at 72 wraparound team meetings from communities around the…

This study examines the relationships between participating in learning communities and student engagement in a range of educationally purposeful activities of first-year and senior students from 365 4-year institutions. The findings indicate that participating in a learning community is positively linked to engagement as well as student…

Despite theoretical arguments that avoiding certain topics can be functional, there is consistent evidence that avoiding topics tends to be associated with dissatisfying relationships. This disparity between theory and empirical findings suggests a need to understand better the connection between topic avoidance and relational dissatisfaction. The…

Leadership, professional and other transferable skills are embedded in the expected attributes of Australian research postgraduates at the successful completion of their degrees. This paper reports on the development of an evaluation process for a postgraduate transferable skills program at The University of Melbourne, Australia. Existing and…

Context: A major goal of any evaluation is to demonstrate content validity, which considers both curricular content as well as the ability expected of learners. Whether evaluation blueprints should be published and the degree of blueprint transparency is controversial. Objectives: To examine the effect of blueprint publication on students'…