An investigation of equity theory's power to predict students' commitment to college obtained different results in three desciplines. In political science, the major predictor was the comparison of one's group with another; in economics, the comparison within the membership group; and in physics, the internal standard. (MSE)

A meta-analytic method synthesized results of 108 studies of the relationship between college grades and various criteria of adult achievement or success. Results showed little correlation, although effects were larger for military settings and studies before 1950. The predictive value of grades is questioned. (MSE)

A literature review concerning the relationship of institutional research and the institution's decision-making process reveals a wide range of opinion. A recurring theme is the precarious position of the researcher in the unique organization of higher education. Most sources agree that the institutional research office must be perceived as…

From analysis of the use of a student rating form designed for multiple audiences and using a single global item, it was concluded that a multiple audience form showed distinct advantages in design. The single item most fairly and highly represented overall teaching performance for administrative decisions about retention, promotion, and merit.…

Some of the errors associated with use of data from the National Center for Education Statistics' Higher Education General Information Survey (HEGIS) are described, 1980 HEGIS and census reports of college enrollment are compared in tables of data, and a more cautious use of HEGIS data is recommended. (MSE)

An analysis of whether U.S. educational institutions should change policies concerning the increasing number of foreign students is presented. Statistical analyses are used to project enrollment into the 1980s and factors leading to the rapid influx and likelihood of continuance are reviewed. It is concluded that there is little reason for…

Results suggest that while homework assignments, tests, and required texts increase the time students allot to a given course, and time allocated to a given course has a positive effect on course grades, the combination has a negative effect on course grade. High school performance is positively related to time given to a course but not to course…

Previous research on student ratings of teacher performance is criticized for design flaws in control of the purpose-of-evaluation variable, and a study of the salience of this variable is reported. Recommendations for design are made and faculty misconceptions about student ratings are discussed. (MSE)

A survey of 77 institutions revealed that 15 percent paid the traditional two-ninths, or 22.2 percent, of the previous academic year's salary for full-time summer session teaching. The percentages for full-time summer session faculty ranged from 11 to 34 percent, averaging 17.4 percent. Enrollment contingencies and other factors are discussed.…

Examines the literature on public libraries and adult education from 1833-present. Proposes that the public library is indeed central to meeting adult education tasks in rural areas. Concludes that, in the absence of outside funding, the potential for adult education as a central function of the public library is limited. (Author/NEC)

A study to assess attitudes of 715 respondents from 2,000 randomly selected farm women toward change in work and family roles found significant differences in women's attitudes according to age, number of children, and religious preference. Generally, attitudes regarding family roles were more conservative than were attitudes regarding career…

A four-year project compared how teachers, students, and parents perceived the climate of the secondary schools in Greenfield, Massachusetts, through responses to eight value statements about the purposes of school. Data suggested students felt more positive than parents or teachers about the school's ability to prepare them for later life. (NEC)

Describes home, farm, and wage-earning roles of a sample of 25 Appalachian farm women who appear to be successfully managing roles and contributing to families. Role descriptions include measures of attitudes toward married women and work, self concept, and family decision-making structures. Implications are discussed in relation to educational…

Provides an overview of how one rural state (Vermont) and respective educational partners (local schoolteachers, administrators, school board, and higher education faculty members) reviewed the effective school research, various models for school improvement alternative data collection instruments, and procedures for analyzing student test data.…

A humorous examination of research on effects of institution size on pupil progress reveals evidentiary and inferential errors, naivete, intellectual puritanism, and rational extravagance. Revised, reinterpreted, and confirmed by two new studies, the literature shows a near-unanimous finding: the smaller unit definitely is superior to the larger…