Refines the cohort survival method for projecting student enrollment. Tests its effectiveness with 30 Maine school districts. The refinement empirically searches for optimal values of number of years of history to use in averaging, weights to place on the ratios, and linear versus exponential distribution of weights across ratios. (SLD)

Investigates differences between high-achieving and low-achieving school-based decision groups in decision making. Decision groups (207 groups of 3 members each) used computer simulations to address problems facing principals concerning fourth grade academic achievement. Higher-achieving groups made more decisions and made a combination of related…

Compares effectiveness of action, verbal, and written communications from schools in 59 South Carolina school districts through a survey of superintendents. No significant differences are found in district evaluation of effectiveness of the three modes of communication. Existing communications are primarily composed of surface types of information…

Compares concept mapping, simulated recall, reflective journals, and discourse analysis as methods of assessing thinking of 2 cohorts of 9 and 17 undergraduate students in their senior year of an early childhood teacher education program, respectively. Methodologies yield different, but complementary, pictures of preservice teachers' knowledge.…

Measures level of interest in 3 kinds of rewards for work (intrinsic, extrinsic, and collegial) for 536 public school teachers, 130 administrators, and 559 university faculty, using a Likert-type scale. Higher interest in colleagueship and intrinsic rewards was associated with educator participation in a school-university collaboration project.…

Investigates perceptions of over 700 college faculty members about the formation and execution of academic policies covering student athletes. Faculty are indifferent to athletes in general, and they believe they do not have an influence on academic policies for athletes regardless of institutional policies. (SLD)

Attempts to improve a set of patient assault vignettes for a simulation by developing and testing a control version of the vignettes and exploring additional question and alternative scoring procedures. Influences of victim gender and assault severity are examined for 58 neuropsychiatric hospital nurses and 12 mental health experts. (SLD)

To explore differences and similarities in the concepts of educational indicators (performance indicators) in the United States and United Kingdom, three pairs of speakers from each country were invited to prepare papers and deliver their partner's paper. Achievement indicators, inspections/site visits, and performance indicators in school…

Evidence presented suggests that indicator systems monitor what is valued and that teachers teach what is monitored. That which is monitored is bound by time, context, and politics. Indicators should embody the best knowledge and democratic values, which has not always been the case, to result in educational improvement. (SLD)

It is argued that monitoring through indicator systems is the way to keep education on track. An example of an indicator system in England is described, with emphasis on use of the system related to classroom processes. Rationale for an indicator system and the A-Level Information System are described. (SLD)

Site visits by peers of those being visited are discussed as part of an educational indicator system. The experience of the WASC in California in using self-study and site visits in school accreditation for over six years is described, and limitations of the procedure are discussed. (SLD)

The important part played in monitoring systems by site visits by inspectors is discussed and illustrated with a review of the role played by the national inspectorate for education in England (Her Majesty's Inspectorate). Inspection has the potential to generate performance indicators of educational quality. (SLD)

More elaborate systems for managing and evaluating the performance of schools are needed than have prevailed to date in the United Kingdom. Experiences in working with schools and local education authorities indicate the necessity for radical breaks with past practices and procedures. (SLD)

Describes the "Arts in Elementary Education Conference" that was an effort to develop and implement an arts in-service program for Alabama elementary teachers with special attention to ongoing program evaluation and refinement. Examines the participants' responses on their conference application, an arts integration questionnaire, conference…

Discusses the dissertations written from 1993 to 1996 on topics related to world musics and music education in the United States; includes, but is not limited to, a focus on a variety of categories such as philosophy, multicultural music education, student and teacher attitudes toward world musics, and teacher education. Provides references. (CMK)