Colvin Adult Learning Center (CALC) is a learning center where adults from different cultures, age groups, and different countries come together to address their educational weaknesses in order to work towards their life goals. It enjoys an excellent reputation in the community due to its history of providing quality instruction and assistance in…

Universities have long practiced data collection techniques to gain insights and direction from their graduates, but public high schools are just now beginning to use this process to gather input from those who know the system the best--their alumni. Because past students' reflections on their high school education can indicate the level of…

The ReitOR Agency has for the first time posted its ratings of colleges and universities in the Volga Federal District of Russia based on criteria of public assessment, having designated institutions in the following priority areas of training: machine building, energy, communications and telecommunications, management and economics, and gas and…

Institutional analyses of public education have increased in number in recent years. However, studies in education drawing on institutional analyses have not fully incorporated recent contributions from institutional theory, particularly relative to other domains such as law and health policy. The author sketches a framework that integrates recent…

This study addresses a campus institutional effectiveness (IE) process and its influence on faculty and staff. Although a comprehensive, rational IE process appeals to campus leaders, this study found that it creates significant faculty and staff challenges. Campus leaders, faculty, and staff differ in their (a) knowledge and support of IE; (b)…

This chapter highlights some important themes from the previous chapters in this volume that will assist institutional research professionals and other higher education leaders interested in expanding use of facilities data in planning and decision making: (1) What you don't know can hurt you; (2) Operational systems are not designed to support ad…

Discusses one part of the institutional accountability process, namely, the identification and measurement of the services (instruction, research, public service) and outcomes of higher education. (Author/PG)

Institutional research (IR), defined as inquiry "directed toward data useful or necessary [for] intelligent decisions and/or for the successful maintenance, operation and/or improvement of a given collegiate institution," can be directly applied to soaring enrollment, greater administrative complexity, rising costs. The junior college…

This report gives guidelines for the organization of institutional research in the community junior college. They include the use of an overall systems approach to data needs and handling; the need for adequate financing; the need for faculty and administrative participation in planning, design, and conduct of research projects; and the…

This institutional self-study, prepared as an application for accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, may serve as a model for others making similar application. Introductory material includes a model of the new campus; names of trustees, administrators, state regents, and committee members; and a preface…

The open systems model of the university defines the function of institutional research to be a cybernetic one. The internal and external reality-testing function is a vital duty and a moral charge. Though policy makers and educational practitioners can carry on for a considerable length of time with organizational intelligence of low validity,…

This paper describes the processes and techniques used to improve and streamline the standard student reports used at Purdue University (Indiana). Various models for analyzing reporting processes are described, especially the model used in the study, the Shewart or Deming Cycle, a method that aids in continuous analysis and improvement through a…

Presents a chronology of events in the development of the Maryland Association for Institutional Research as it marks its 15th anniversary. (EV)

Much progress has been made in efforts to conduct, support, value, and use the scholarship of teaching and learning in higher education. Nevertheless, to further enhance student learning, many challenges remain. (Contains 1 table.)