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For the thirty-sixth year, the Research and Theory Division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) is sponsoring the publication of these Proceedings. Papers published in this volume were presented at the annual AECT Convention in Anaheim, California. The Proceedings of AECT's Convention are published in two volumes. Volume 1 contains papers dealing primarily with research and development topics. Papers dealing with the practice of instructional technology including instruction and training issues are contained in Volume 2. (Individual papers contain references.) [For Volume 2, see ED546878.]

This American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) Occasional Paper presents the proceedings of a conference on "Liberal Arts Colleges in American Higher Education: Challenges and Opportunities" convened by ACLS in November 2003 in Williamstown, Massachusetts with the support of the Oakley Center for the Humanities and Social Sciences at Williams College and the collaboration of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. Eighteen speakers on five panels focused on historical perspectives, fiscal pressures, professional life, student achievement, and the future of liberal arts colleges. The frame of the Williamstown conference encompassed questions of faculty development and scholarly formation, but widened to include also the relationship between intellectual mission and economic constraints of the college-university, the history of these institutions, and their distinctive effectiveness in undergraduate education. The papers delivered were revised following discussion and an additional entry, Michael McPherson's, was solicited for this volume. Including Dr. McPherson, ten current or former college presidents participated in this discussion. The Introduction is presented by Pauline Yu while the Prologue, entitled "The Liberal Arts College: Identity, Variety, Destiny," is provided by Francis Oakley. The volume divides into three sections. Section I, "The Past: The Liberal Arts Mission in Historical Context," contains these papers: (1) Balancing Hopes and Limits in the Liberal Arts College (Helen Lefkowitz Horowitz); and (2) The Problem of Mission: A Brief Survey of the Changing Mission of the Liberal Arts (Christina Elliott Sorum). Section II, "The Present: Economic Pressures/Teaching, Research, and Professional Life/Educational Goals and Student Achievement," contains these papers: (3) The Economic Challenges of Liberal Arts Colleges (Lucie Lapovsky); (4) Discounts and Spending at the Leading Liberal Arts Colleges (Roger T. Kaufman); (5) Scholars and Teachers Revisited: In Continued Defense of College Faculty Who Publish (Robert A. McCaughey); (6) Beyond the Circle: Challenges and Opportunities for the Contemporary Liberal Arts Teacher-Scholar (Kimberly Benston); (7) Built To Engage: Liberal Arts Colleges and Effective Educational Practice (George D. Kuh); and (8) Selective and Non-Selective Alike: An Argument for the Superior Educational Effectiveness of Smaller Liberal Arts Colleges (Richard Ekman). Section III, "The Future: Five Presidents on the Challenge Lying Ahead," contains these papers: (9) The Challenges Facing Public Liberal Arts Colleges (Mary K. Grant); (10) The Importance of Institutional Culture (Stephen R. Lewis); (11) The Future Ain't What It Used to Be (Michele Tolela Myers); (12) A Story Untold and Questions Unasked (David H. Porter); and (13) Liberal Arts Education at Large Research Universities and at Small Liberal Arts Colleges (Morton Owen Schapiro). Responses to articles in sections I and II are presented by Stephen Fix, Michael S. McPherson, Kenneth P. Ruscio, and Mitchell J. Chang. (Contains 23 figures, 3 tables, and 157 notes.)

For the twenty-seventh year, the Research and Theory Division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) is sponsoring the publication of these Proceedings. Papers published in this volume were presented at the National AECT Convention in Chicago, Illinois. The Proceedings of AECT's Convention are published in two volumes. Volume 1 contains papers dealing primarily with research and development topics. (Individual papers contain references, figures, and tables.) [For Volume 2, see ED499962.]

Two important sets of performance indicators for institutions of higher education have become established in the United Kingdom: research quality ratings and teaching quality ratings. The research quality ratings and, to a lesser extent, the teaching quality ratings influence the level of government funding provided to higher education institutions. This paper considers the correlations between the two ratings and the possible consequences of policies which reshape the higher education sector by concentrating research resources in a limited number of institutions. Comparisons are made between quality assurance/assessment approaches in the United Kingdom and the United States, finding that U.S. higher education is much larger, more heterogeneous and has less government control than U.K. higher education, While the U.S. system of colleges and universities is generally unranked (by those responsible for accreditation), the UK system includes rankings. Use of use various analytical approaches to compare teaching and research ratings for both systems concluded that it remains unclear whether the measurement standards will lead to improvements in teaching and research. (Contains 38 references.) (Author/DM)

In September 1984, the Chinese government asked the Economic Development Institute of the World Bank to assist the officials of the Chinese Ministry of Education in thinking through some policy options for examinations and standardized testing. This document summarizes the descriptions of testing programs and advice provided to these Chinese officials at a meeting held in April 1985. In addition to an introduction by S. P. Heyneman and I. Fagerlind, the following papers are provided: (1) "Admission to Higher Education in Japan" (T. Hidano); (2) "Examinations for University Selection in England" (J. L. Reddaway); (3) "Admission to Higher Education in the United States: The Role of the Educational Testing Service" (R. J. Solomon); (4) "Public Examinations in Australia" (J. P. Keeves); (5) "Education in Sweden: Assessment of Student Achievement and Selection for Higher Education" (S. Marklund); (6) "A Brief Introduction to the System of Higher School Enrollment Examinations in China" (L. Zhen); (7) "Designing the English Language Proficiency Test in China" (G. Shichun); (8) "Assessing the Quality of Education over Time: The Role of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)" (A. E. LaPointe); (9) "Cross-National Comparisons in Educational Achievement: The Role of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA)" (J. P. Keeves); (10) "Examinations as an Instrument To Improve Pedagogy" (A. Somerset); and (11) "Improving University Selection, Educational Research, and Educational Management in Developing Countries: The Role of Examinations and Standardized Testing" (S. P. Heyneman). Collectively, the papers contain 31 tables and 13 figures. (SLD)

The Commission on International Adult Education (CIAE) of the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) provides a forum for the discussion of international issues related to adult education in general, as well as adult education in various countries around the globe. The following purposes summarize the work of the Commission: (1) To develop linkages with adult education associations in other countries; (2) To encourage exchanges between AAACE and associations from other countries; (3) To invite conference participation and presentations by interested adult educators around the world; (4) To discuss how adult educators from AAACE and other nations may cooperate on projects of mutual interest and benefit to those we serve. The Commission holds its annual meeting in conjunction with the AAACE conference. The following papers were presented at the 65th conference: (1) Self-Directed Learning Readiness among Undergraduate Students at Saudi Electronic University in Saudi Arabia (Mousa S. Alfaifi); (2) Career Transitions and Professional Development of Bulgarian Immigrants in the United States (Iva Angelova); (3) Preserving the Social Cohesiveness and Lifelong Learning Mission of Scotland's Public Libraries: Evaluating the Scottish National Library Strategy through the Capabilities Approach (Kiran Badwal); (4) Factors Associated with International Graduate Students' Academic Performance: A Comparative Analysis between the First Semester and the Subsequent Semester in the U.S. (Muhittin Cavusoglu, Williemae White, Waynne B. James, and Cihan Cobanoglu); (5) A Framework for International Student Participation in Postsecondary U.S. English Language Programs (Valeriana Colón); (6) How a Visual Language of Abstract Shapes Facilitates Cultural and International Border Crossings (Arthur Thomas Conroy, III); (7) Adult Education and Training Programs for Older Adults in the U.S.: Country Comparisons Using PIAAC Data (Phyllis A. Cummins and Suzanne R. Kunkel); (8) The Power of Relationship Building in International Short-Term Field Study Experiences at the Graduate Level (Brittany Davis and Joellen E. Coryell); (9) A History of Oral and Written Storytelling in Nigeria (Simeon Edosomwan and Claudette M. Peterson); (10) Reflections after Working at the Center for Refugees of Conetta, Italy: Practice and Competencies Needed (Mario Giampaolo and Antonella Pascali); (11) Sustainability Adult Education: Learning to Re-Create the World (Wendy Griswold); (12) New Perspectives from a Quasi-English Translation of Dusan Savicevic's 2000 Work on Roots in the Development of Andragogy: The 2016 Update of History and Philosophy of Andragogy (John A. Henschke); (13) Against All Odds: Socio-Cultural Influence on Nontraditional International Learners Pursuing Higher Education in the United States (Yvonne Hunter-Johnson); (14) Exploring the Transformational Learning Experiences of Bahamian Students Studying in the United States (Yvonne Hunter-Johnson and Norissa Newton); (15) Designing Professional Learning Communities through Understanding the Beliefs of Learning (Jie Ke, Rui Kang, and Di Liu); (16) Olympic Sports Coaching Education: An International Coach's Perspective (Cameron Kiosoglous); (17) Global Leadership Competencies in Selected Adult Education Graduate Programs in the United States and Western Europe (Arthur Ray McCrory and Waynne B. James); (18) Adult Development: A Global Imperative (Linda E. Morris); (19) Henry Carmichael [1796 to 1862]: Australia's Pioneer Adult Educator (Roger K. Morris); (20) Do College Instructors Have Implicit Bias toward Latino-Accented English Speakers? (Eunkyung Na); (21) Experimenting with Theory of Change for Interculturality and Mutual Learning in Adult Education (Annalisa L. Raymer); (22) The Key-Role of Teachers within the Italian School-Work Alternation Programs (Concetta Tino and Monica Fedeli); (23) An Analysis of Europe within Adult Education Literature (Susan M. Yelich Biniecki); and (24) Participatory Community Education to Mitigate Human-Elephant Conflict in Botswana (Jill Zarestky and Leslie E. Ruyle). (Individual papers contain references.)

We are delighted to welcome you to the International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends (InPACT) 2016, taking place in Lisbon, Portugal, from 30 of April to 2 of May, 2016. Psychology, nowadays, offers a large range of scientific fields where it can be applied. The goal of understanding individuals and groups (mental functions and behavioral standpoints), from this academic and practical scientific discipline, is aimed ultimately to benefit society. This International Conference seeks to provide some answers and explore the several areas within the Psychology field, new developments in studies and proposals for future scientific projects. The goal is to offer a worldwide connection between psychologists, researchers and lecturers, from a wide range of academic fields, interested in exploring and giving their contribution in psychological issues. The conference is a forum that connects and brings together academics, scholars, practitioners and others interested in a field that is fertile in new perspectives, ideas and knowledge. There is an extensive variety of contributors and presenters, which can supplement the view of the human essence and behavior, showing the impact of their different personal, academic and cultural experiences. This is, certainly, one of the reasons there are nationalities and cultures represented, inspiring multi-disciplinary collaborative links, fomenting intellectual encounter and development. InPACT 2016 received 332 submissions, from 37 different countries, reviewed by a double-blind process. Submissions were prepared to take form of Oral Presentations, Posters, Virtual Presentations and Workshops. It was accepted for presentation in the conference 96 submissions (29% acceptance rate). The conference also includes: (1) A keynote presentation from Prof. Dr. Richard Bentall (Institute of Psychology, Health & Society of the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom); (2) Three Special Talks, one from Emeritus Professor Carlos Amaral Dias (University of Coimbra, Director of Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, Vice-President of the Portuguese Association of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Private practitioner of psychiatry and psychoanalysis, Portugal) and Prof. Clara Pracana (Full and Training member of the Portuguese Association of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Portugal), another from Emeritus Professor Michael Wang (University of Leicester, United Kingdom), and a third one from Dr. Conceição Almeida (Founder of the Portuguese Association of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy, and Vice-President of the Board. Member of the Teaching Committee, Portugal); (3) An Invited Talk from Dr. Ana Vasconcelos (SAMS--Serviços de Assistência Médico-Social do Sindicato dos Bancários de Sul e Ilhas, founding member of the Portuguese Association of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, and member of NPA-Neuropshycanalysis Association, Portugal). Thus, we would like to express our gratitude to all our invitees. This volume is composed by the abstracts of the International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends (InPACT 2016), organized by the World Institute for Advanced Research and Science (W.I.A.R.S.). This conference addresses different categories inside Applied Psychology area and papers fit broadly into one of the named themes and sub-themes. To develop the conference program six main broad-ranging categories had been chosen, which also cover different interest areas: (1) In CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: Emotions and related psychological processes; Assessment; Psychotherapy and counseling; Addictive behaviors; Eating disorders; Personality disorders; Quality of life and mental health; Communication within relationships; Services of mental health; and Psychopathology. (2) In EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY: Language and cognitive processes; School environment and childhood disorders; Parenting and parenting related processes; Learning and technology; Psychology in schools; Intelligence and creativity; Motivation in classroom; Perspectives on teaching; Assessment and evaluation; and Individual differences in learning. (3) In SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY: Cross-cultural dimensions of mental disorders; Employment issues and training; Organizational psychology; Psychology in politics and international issues; Social factors in adolescence and its development; Social anxiety and self-esteem; Immigration and social policy; Self-efficacy and identity development; Parenting and social support; and Addiction and stigmatization. (4) In LEGAL PSYCHOLOGY: Violence and trauma; Mass-media and aggression; Intra-familial violence; Juvenile delinquency; Aggressive behavior in childhood; Internet offending; Working with crime perpetrators; Forensic psychology; Violent risk assessment; and Law enforcement and stress. (5) In COGNITIVE AND EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: Perception, memory and attention; Decision making and problem-solving; Concept formation, reasoning and judgment; Language processing; Learning skills and education; Cognitive Neuroscience; Computer analogies and information processing (Artificial Intelligence and computer simulations); Social and cultural factors in the cognitive approach; Experimental methods, research and statistics; and Biopsychology. (6) In PSYCHOANALYSIS AND PSYCHOANALYTICAL PSYCHOTHERAPY: Psychoanalysis and psychology; The unconscious; The Oedipus complex; Psychoanalysis of children; Pathological mourning; Addictive personalities; Borderline organizations; Narcissistic personalities; Anxiety and phobias; Psychosis; Neuropsychoanalysis. The proceedings contain the results of the research and developments conducted by authors who focused on what they are passionate about: to promote growth in research methods intimately related to Psychology and its applications. It includes an extensive variety of contributors and presenters by sharing their different personal, academic and cultural experiences. Authors will be invited to publish extended contributions for a book to be published by inScience Press. We would like to express thanks to all the authors and participants, the members of the academic scientific committee, partners and, of course, to the organizing and administration team for making and putting this conference together. (Individual papers contain references.) [Abstract modified to meet ERIC guidelines.]

This paper investigates computer literacy related cross-cultural factors that predict academic ability among mathematically gifted Olympians in Finland (N=72, 68 males and 4 females) and the United States (N=80, all males). The following research questions were formulated: (1) What is the nature of the connection between computer skills and development of the Olympians' mathematics skills (grade point average, or GPA)? (2) Does computer literacy contribute to the academic productivity? (3) What re the most culture-dependent components of computer literacy? The results for the first and second research questions indicate that computer literacy is more of a cross-culturally distinctive than a connective factor contributing to the development of the Olympians' mathematics skills and later academic productivity. In the Finnish data, the influence of computer literacy was positive for both GPA and productivity as opposed to the United States data where the influence was found to be negative. The third research question is investigated with dependence and classification modeling. The results indicate that the most culture-dependent variable measuring computer literacy is the use of the Internet. The components that predict the best culture-dependent computer literacy are programming skills, basic computing skills, and self evaluating computing skills. (Contains 24 references.) (Author/AEF)

Ogbu and Simon's (1998) and Ogbu's (2003) cultural-ecological theoretical framework postulates that voluntary immigrants, those who chose to migrate to a new land, would perform well academically because of their perceived beliefs that they could get a good education and could succeed more in their "new" land of opportunity than in their "native" country. However, does the aforementioned notion hold true for both African and Afro-Caribbean immigrants to North America (USA & Canada) and Europe (U.K.)? The present study addresses a gap identified by Pinder (2010); in which, she called for more studies to explore and document differences in African heritage students' performances in North America and Europe. Thus, this study examines and compares the academic performance of African and Afro-Caribbean immigrant students in STEM in North America and Europe. Findings do suggest that African students consistently do well academically in North American countries and in the U.K. (Europe), and these findings align with Ogbu's cultural-ecological assumptions about voluntary immigrants' performance in a "new" land of opportunity. On the other hand, although data findings suggest Afro-Caribbean students are performing well academically in North American countries, data findings also suggest that they are underperforming in comparison to their peers in the U.K., this finding conflicts with Ogbu and Simon's cultural-ecological assumption.

The IADIS CELDA 2012 Conference intention was to address the main issues concerned with evolving learning processes and supporting pedagogies and applications in the digital age. There had been advances in both cognitive psychology and computing that have affected the educational arena. The convergence of these two disciplines is increasing at a fast pace and affecting academia and professional practice in many ways. Paradigms such as just-in-time learning, constructivism, student-centered learning and collaborative approaches have emerged and are being supported by technological advancements such as simulations, virtual reality and multi-agents systems. These developments have created both opportunities and areas of serious concerns. This conference aimed to cover both technological as well as pedagogical issues related to these developments. The IADIS CELDA 2012 Conference received 98 submissions from more than 24 countries. Out of the papers submitted, 29 were accepted as full papers. In addition to the presentation of full papers, short papers and reflection papers, the conference also includes a keynote presentation from internationally distinguished researchers. Individual papers contain figures, tables, and references.

Prompted by some disturbing trends of reducing enrollment among females and minorities in an earlier study (Borman, Workman, Miller & Micceri, 2006), this study, using data from over 600,000 Florida State University System (SUS) applicants, demonstrates empirically how a trend that began during World War II helps ensure that males and society's upper class of wealth and power (usually whites) gain unjustified advantages when it comes to enrolling in prestigious public universities as a result of standardized admissions tests. Higher education has historically been, at least until the proletariat revolutions of the 20th Century, almost the exclusive territory of the aristocracy's young males. This was a place they could send their young and avoid the danger of interacting with city workers. For example, between 1890 and 1900, fewer than 5% of Americans aged 18 to 21 years attended higher education institutions (Goldin & Katz, 1999, p. 41). By 1970, this percentage had risen to 70%, meaning that large numbers of "commoners" were rubbing elbows with the elite, partly because the 1965 Higher Education Act stated that colleges couldn't turn away applicants because their families were poor. Such interaction with society's riffraff had traditionally been avoided by the aristocracy through the use of exclusive (expensive) private colleges. Theoretically, public universities, which are paid for by the taxes of all, should offer those of the lower classes equal opportunity for higher education. However, in the latter part of the 20th Century and the early years of the 21st Century, as the United States experiences increasing wealth disparity (Sahadi, 2006; Witte & Henderson, 2004), we see a disturbing tendency to exclude "commoners." Haycock & Gerald (2006, p. 3) state, regarding public flagship institutions: "Even as the number of low-income and minority high school graduates in their states grows, often by leaps and bounds, these institutions are becoming disproportionately whiter and richer." Numerous others echo such statements (Heller & Marin, 2002; Astin & Oseguera, 2004; Sacks, 2007). Probably the most important tool used by higher education to discriminate against riffraff is a selection bias inherent in "stringent admissions requirements," or perhaps better stated: higher test score requirements (Astin & Oseguera, 2004). In the Florida State University System (SUS) the "more stringent requirements" apparently resulted from a 70% increase in First Time in College (FTIC) matriculations during a time when constant dollar funding only increased by 11% (1996 to 2003 using HEPI). Although standardized tests were initially pushed to the fore as an admissions requirement in an attempt to reduce class bias, in reality, they increase the class bias effect. Stimulated by earlier research conducted in an attempt to understand the recent movement of underrepresented minorities from direct entry into the SUS to transfer from community colleges, in addition to Gibson's (2001, p 1.) claim that: "...The SAT measures, above all else, class, sex, and race..." This study addresses the research question: Do consistent score differences occur on standardized tests between different sexes or race/ethnicities (an affluence proxy) for students exhibiting the same historic academic performance levels as measured by High School Grade Point Average (GPA)? (Contains 4 footnotes, 1 table, and 2 figures.)

This study investigated the construct validity of an online version of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) for use with community college students. The MSLQ which is an 81-item, self-report inventory which consists of 2 sections and 15 scales that assesses college students' motivational orientations and learning strategies. The sample consisted of 158 participants from four community colleges located in the Western United States. A reliability analysis produced coefficient alphas which ranged from .49 to .93 for the scale scores. When compared to data from the normative sample, there was consistency in the coefficient alphas for 6 of the 15 scales. Of the areas of inconsistencies, the differences in values for coefficient alpha ranged from .05 to .20. Results indicate that while the MSLQ may be valid for assessing motivational and learning strategies, users must take caution when interpreting scores obtained from different cultures. Suggestions for further research discussed. (Contains 2 tables.)

When Japanese education is considered from a Western perspective, the stereotypical image seems to be that of a rigid, achievement-oriented, and traditional system, producing technologically-focused human beings. This presentation focuses on the human and cultural dimensions of Japanese society and on how Japanese children are motivated to achieve and surpass their American counterparts. A framework is provided for examining: (1) the complex cultural collaborations or interrelationships that exist in Japan among parents, schools, and society; (2) the society's cultural and philosophical bases, specifically, that human beings are a single, harmonious physical and mental unit defined by relationships with others (in contrast to the private, objective, individualistic values of the West); (3) the strong Japanese national identity which is reinforced by fundamental philosophic and moral principles and ethics; (4) the traditional role of the mother and her responsibilities as the main source of influence in the family; (5) the relationship between education and occupation; (6) the course of study in elementary schools; (7) the highly competitive entrance examinations required for a student to enter a high school or university; and (8) the nature of reform efforts in Japanese schools. (LL)

This report outlines the role of after school programs (Juku) in preparing Japanese students for high school and university entrance examinations and presents some growing concerns about the movement. Juku plays a major role in insuring the success of Japanese students on tests administered within the country and on international comparisons made on the basis of achievement test scores. After 12 years of schooling, based on the American model, Japanese children have averaged 4 years more schooling than their counterparts in the United States, accounting in part for differences in test scores noted between U.S. and Japanese students. However, the growing pressure to succeed on examinations is taking a toll, and educators are questioning its impact on students' mental health; tests are beginning to determine curriculum, particularly in private schools; and a disparity is growing between educational opportunities for wealthy and poor students, based on parents' ability to pay. Despite these concerns, there is still widespread support among the population for Juku programs. Parents resist the notion of reducing the school week from 6 to 5 days and seem committed to spending the money and time necessary to have their children enroll in extra classes to secure a competitive advantage on the tests that determine which high schools, colleges, and/or universities the students may attend. (Contains 19 references.) (LL)

Beliefs about the causes of success and failure in academic achievement were compared for students in the United States and Israel. The following 11 attributions were placed randomly in a questionnaire format: (1) mood; (2) skill; (3) knowledge; (4) chance; (5) effort; (6) competence; (7) help; (8) ability; (9) task; (10) bias; and (11) luck. Each was followed by a random ordering of five 7-point scales on the following dimensions: external-internal; global-specific (to a particular situation); uncontrollable-controllable; stable-unstable; and predictable-unpredictable. Subjects were asked to rate the attributions. The United States sample included 50 undergraduate education students, 50 graduate education students, 50 undergraduates from an introductory psychology course, and 50 adults who had never attended a college or university. The Israeli sample included 53 undergraduate education students, 80 graduate education students, 56 undergraduate psychology students, and 50 adults without a college background. Three-way factor analyses of variance were used for group, sex, and attributions. Israelis were more internal than were subjects from the United States for task difficulty and luck, and were less predictable on task difficulty, less controllable for competence, but more controllable for luck. In all four groups, attributions of skill, knowledge, and luck revealed the largest differences between the two groups. Results are discussed in terms of the cultural views and experiences of the two populations. The rating scale used is included. (SLD)

Recognizing the lack of public confidence in the schools, public officials and educators should discuss the proper use and limitations of competency testing and the implementation of national tests. Competency tests should be used for diagnosis, for certifying that students possess basic skills, and for public awareness. They should not be the sole criterion for assessing competency; furthermore, there are apsects of learning beyond academic achievement which tests do not measure, such as maturity, self-discipline, honesty and judgment. National tests are strongly discouraged for these reasons: they lack local commitment; no test is right for every school; there is no one definition for minimal competency; and they would discourage local experimentation. While each state and school district should develop a competency program, the federal government should and will take a limited role by supporting the following ventures: (1) The National Academy of Sciences will conduct a major test evaluation and usage study; (2) The Education Commission of the States and similar organizations will run workshops and provide technical assistance; (3) The National Academy of Education will establish an advisory Committee on Testing and Basic Skills; (4) The Office of Education's Project on Fundamental Skills will coordinate 13 different federal programs dealing with basic skills; (5) The National Institute of Education will study student failure; (6) Educational television and video-disk Programs will be developed; (7) The critical role of parents in educating their children will be strengthened. Finally, public officials and educators should strengthen their commitment to fairness in admitting minorities to professional schools. (CF)

A ten-year research effort, conducted by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), explored the relative merits and failings of different national systems of education in the United States and in Western and Eastern Europe. The first section of this report deals with trends in American education as seen through European eyes. The American system is viewed as a vehicle for upward social mobility and as a means of solving or ameliorating social problems. In the second section, the theoretical framework and research strategy of the IEA are described, as well as the difficulties encountered in comparing systems of education that are widely different in function and philosophy. The way individual differences are perceived and taken into account in organizing formal education in various national systems is considered in the third section. Comparisons are made of the American model of comprehensive education for all students, the Western European model, with early transfer of selected elite students to academic secondary schools, and the Soviet unitary school that integrates all types of schools. The fourth section elaborates on comparisons between comprehensive and selective systems of education. An analysis is made of performance differences in mathematics and science students in divergent systems. An overall conclusion is reached that the American comprehensive system more effectively serves all of the talent of a nation. (JD)

A questionnaire was sent to 161 international graduate students studying agricultural education/extension in the United States to identify implications for the International Training Program at the American Farm School near Thessaloniki, Greece, and to assess the students' degree of interest in attending the Farm School's Training Program. Eighty-six usable responses yielded data on age and sex of respondents, sources of financial assistance, professional positions, country of origin, degrees held, satisfaction with programs, courses taken, perceptions of program goals, and desired changes in curriculum. While students were generally pleased with their formal graduate programs, some voids existed, and 93% of the respondents showed interest in attending the International Training Program. It was concluded that these students could be prime participants in the program, and potential students for a summer program. Recommendations included: a good informational program should be instituted to provide students with timely course/enrollment information for the Farm School; efforts should be made to encourage countries to sponsor their students in the school's summer short course; and the American Farm School and United States international graduate programs should alter their curricula to address more practical concerns, such as rural development activities. (JMM)