An analysis used 1987 national student aid data to examine the influence of prices on within-year persistence by graduate students. Results indicated that graduate students, especially in public institutions, are responsive to tuition charges in their persistence decisions. It is suggested that institutions carefully examine the potential impact…

This article proposes that university department prestige can be measured by ability to place its doctoral recipients, as illustrated by analysis of accounting student placements. Resulting rankings of departments were evaluated for stability over time and against other program characteristics to illustrate the validity and uniqueness of the…

A study attempted to clarify and extend the Biglan model, which uses faculty and departmental characteristics to classify intellectual disciplines, by applying it to previously unclassified disciplines. The model is found to be valid and useful for studying academic diversity in the higher education system based on current faculty data. (MSE)

New developments emerging from a study of organizational effectiveness in Australia's system of higher education are reported, and a second study is also described. The results have established a four-group typology of institutions: classical universities, institutes of technology, colleges of advanced education, and other institutions.…

A study applied a model of organizational effectiveness, as measured by 9 dimensions, to 30 2-year colleges with clearly different mission orientations. Results indicate organizational effectiveness varies significantly according to mission type and number, and support use of the model. Implications for research on college effectiveness and for…

A study investigated pre-enrollment variables as predictors of 1-year retention of 1,140 first-time students at a community college. Risk of dropping out was associated with lower high school grade point average, 20-24 year age range, part-time attendance, and being a member of an ethnic minority other than Asian. (Author/MSE)

Development of a self-report rating scale providing information about students with academic/social integration difficulties is reported. The questionnaire was tested with 192 incoming first-year students at a technical institute for the deaf. Results show the instrument useful in early evaluation and diagnosis of adjustment problems and helpful…

A 1990-91 survey of preservice teacher education courses in England and Wales examined course philosophy and pedagogy, course structure, types of partnerships between higher education and schools, and student assessment. Many issues being raised in policy debates were already being addressed by teacher educators before the government's reform…

Discusses assessment of elementary students in the second year of the statutory implementation of England and Wales' national assessment program. Researchers developed models of teacher assessment practice that reflected different beliefs about the nature of teaching and learning and different reactions to national assessment. (SM)

Describes British teachers' perceptions of the first year's implementation of elementary school history using a national curriculum (NC). Surveys about staffing, curriculum development, inservice training, department structure, and NC requirements indicated the experience of implementing the NC was difficult, and only half the respondents favored…

Researchers examined the operation of planned activity time (PAT) for Scotland's elementary and secondary teachers. PAT required that teachers devote 50 hours per year to planned school and professional development activities. Interviews indicated PAT was successful, though teachers criticized certain aspects and wished their opinions were…

Reviews the research methods literature examining the benefits and pitfalls of doing educational research in familiar settings and among peers. The review encompasses educational literature and material from anthropology and sociology. The impact of structural differences between researcher and researched is discussed, noting problems of antipathy…

Synthesizes research findings and theoretical perspectives of advanced technologies as they relate to learning. The article identifies and discusses several issues for the design and use of multimedia applications. The article examines behaviorist, cognitive, and constructivist approaches to learning, noting their relationship to multimedia…

Examination of 32 college and 12 higher education system mission statements suggests they are effective in some situations but may be disadvantageous in others. Several different roles for the statements emerged: (1) goals clarification; (2) smoke screens for opportunism; (3) descriptions of status quo; (4) aspirations; and (5) marketing tools.…

Research on substantive issues and concerns of higher education is handicapped by higher education's lack of status and recognition as an academic discipline or professional specialty. Theory-based and policy-related research should be recast as disciplined inquiry, doctoral programs strengthened, and preparation of scholars, professors, and…