Findings from five main projects in the National Center on Effective Secondary Schools, which operated from December 1, 1985 to February 28, 1991, are presented. Projects investigated different aspects of engagement and achievement problems through literature reviews, analyses of existing data sets, and new studies of students and staff in 32…

This booklet presents questions that can be used by a college or university task force looking at the freshman year experience and/or the broader undergraduate experience. It can also be utilized to aid the process of campus self-study or assessment. The questions are arranged under three major headings: (1) Campus Policies, Processes, and…

The development of these Evaluative Criteria was proposed in 1980 after numerous requests for such an instrument were received form unit schools, independent schools, parochial schools, regional accrediting associations, and professional organizations. A national advisory committee was selected. Eleven schools were selected to participate in the…

A report compares 30 small/rural K-12 school districts (900 students or fewer) in Illinois to 642 similar districts nationwide, using data from 1982-83. Qualifying districts were identified as 4,125 nationwide (26.4% of all public school districts) and 221 in Illinois (22.4%, enrolling 121,570 students). A questionnaire was mailed to…

Data gathered during 1982-83 are used to compare 41 small/rural K-12 Iowa school districts (900 students or fewer) to 642 similar districts nationwide. In Iowa, 307 qualifying districts (70.7% of all public school districts), enrolling 154,130 students, were identified; 4,125 districts nationwide qualified. A questionnaire mailed to…

This report examines the role of schools and "outside" social and economic influences in young people's lives, focusing particularly on the impact that participation in extracurricular activities has on racial tensions and students' self-images. It is based on data collected from a national sample of tenth graders in the 1980 "High…

This booklet delineates the educational rights of Texas parents, their handicapped children, and adult handicapped students. Twenty key terms used in the booklet, such as surrogate parent, adult handicapped student, and mediation, are defined in the first section. Rights of parents and students are described in each of the areas covered in the…

Science fairs have the potential to help students develop new ways of solving problems using a scientific approach. This supplemental guide was developed for those teachers involved with science fairs as well as others who work with students in developing a project. Several reasons for holding a science fair are listed, along with some…

A guide for the organization, planning, and administration of an elementary school extracurricular foreign language program emphasizing conversation and cultural exposure includes three sections: (1) information about the Ames Foreign Language Association's organization, services, and philosophy concerning program design and discipline policy; (2)…

A study was conducted to determine the differences in the perceptions of administrators, student development practitioners, faculty, and students with respect to the effectiveness of selected student services in two-year colleges in Alabama. A survey instrument, requesting respondents to express their agreement or disagreement with 57 statements…

At the request of the Future Farmers of America (FFA), an analysis was conducted of reasons for a decline in membership in 1977-79 after a 40-year period of steady growth. Factors such as the vocational-agriculture teacher shortage, number of chartered FFA chapters, certification status of teachers, FFA membership costs, and contract length of…

Focusing on the conditions brought about by declining enrollment and resources, this book presents problems and suggests possible ways of dealing with them. Chapter 1 lists social forces that have long-term implications for maintenance of quality education. The second chapter applies the concept "smaller is better" to education. Several planning…

The Americam College Test (ACT) assessment results for 441 freshmen who entered Grand Valley State Colleges (GVSC) in fall 1973, and who were still enrolled in fall 1974 were compared to the results for 324 freshmen who entered GVSC in fall 1973 and who were not enrolled in fall 1974. Comparisons were made of ACT test scores, self-reported high…

Employing basic and interpretive data derived from five sample high schools in remote areas of Ontario, Canada, an examination was made of the psychological and sociological factors affecting the educational progress of secondary students. Using field study methods, objective data from school records and offices were collected (N=497), along with…

The July 1974 edition of this handbook is published in two volumes: (1) concerning the faculty of the university, and (2) consisting of appendices. Part 1 covers the general purpose of the university, faculty role with respect to the university purpose, faculty policies and practices, governance, faculty benefits and services, business procedures,…