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A survey was conducted to determine the characteristics and opinions of the non-persisting students at Moraine Valley Community College. A random sample of 500 non-persisting students was selected, with equal numbers of full-time and part-time ex-students. Separate questionnaires were used for non-persisting full-time and non-persisting part-time students. A total of 227 students (45%) returned the questionnaire following two attempts. A sample of non-respondents was telephoned and their answers compared with those of the mail respondents. Demographic variables were taken from the student record files. Among the results were the following: (1) higher retention occurs within an academic year (fall to spring) than between academic years; (2) although retention rates remain stable, the number of students lost increases each semester; (3) 9% subsequently re-enrolled two semesters later; (4) full-time non-persisters gave transfer or goal achievement as the principal reason for not returning, which part-time non-persisters most often indicated personal reasons for not returning; (5) full-time non-persisters cited "transfer to another college" as their goal, while part-time non-persisters were almost equally distributed among the 5 categories of educational goals; (6) no relationship existed between the number of hours a student was employed and his goal accomplishment; (7) understanding and implementation-oriented instruction received higher evaluations than did dissemination-oriented instruction. (KM)

A survey was conducted to determine the need for health occupations personnel in the Moraine Valley Community College district, specifically to: (1) describe present employment for selected health occupations; (2) project health occupation employment to 1974; (3) identify the supply of applicants for the selected occupations; and (4) identify existing training programs for these occupations. Job titles were identified and associated with their respective health employers. A total of 347 health employers were contacted through four different mailings; a total of 163 (47%) questionnaires was returned. In addition, administrators from four hospitals and three large nursing homes were interviewed. Among the results were the following: (1) rapid employment growth is expected nationally during the 1970s in all health occupations; (2) supply is not expected to keep up with demand, nationally; (3) a decrease in the percent of professionals (doctors, etc.) and a corresponding increase in the percent of technicians is anticipated during the 1970s; (4) nursing and related occupations account for 80% of the health employment in the MVCC district; (5) two-year projections by district employers anticipate largest growth in laboratory and dental occupations; (6) shortages of qualified applicants for several occupations were reported by MVCC employers; (7) on-the-job training exists for a number of occupations; and (8) short courses or seminars are needed on a variety of topics. Predictions and future program possibilities are offered. (KM)

In an effort to meet the need for a more comprehensive program evaluation, staff at Moraine Valley Community College developed a questionnaire and interview schedule to obtain feedback from employers concerning career programs. Questionnaires were sent to all employers who hired graduates of occupational programs between 1969-71; over 80% returned the questionnaires. A sample were selected for the interview phase as well; interview schedules were completed for 60% of the sample. Factor analysis of the original 25-item questionnaire designed to evaluate technical, human relations and problem-solving skills revealed that employers evaluated graduates using a two-dimensional structure that included only technical and human relations skills. Results showed that: (1) employers rated as effective or highly effective their employees' training; (2) evaluations for public service, health and business programs were similar; (3) public service graduates were rated slightly higher in technical skills than business and health graduates; (4) personality factors were mentioned most often as areas of strength or weakness; (5) the chances for advancement of half the graduates were rated higher than the chances of other employees in similar positions; (6) supervisors were interested in hiring graduates; and (7) a positive correlation exists between college evaluation and job performance evaluation. Program changes were recommended on the basis of these data. (KM)

The study was initiated to learn more about incorporated farms in Wisconsin. Specific objective included: listing all corporations in the state with agriculture incomes, acquiring basic structural data in these units, analyzing differences between various types of corporation farms when classified according to nature of ownership, and determining whether there is a large incursion of firms in the form of corporations with characteristics conceptually harmfulto agriculture. On the basis of 90.6o questionnaire response, it was concluded that corporate farm structure in Wisconsin is widely diversified and difficult to characterize or generalize. Variations in size, number of products produced, ownership, and dependence upon agriculture as primary or sole source of income demonstrated the range in differences. There was no evidence that non-agriculturally oriented firms, newly incorporated large firms, or foreign-based operations are making large inroads in Wisconsin agriculture through 1968. (Supportive statistical tables are provided.) (AG)

There are more defaults, more fast-buck artists, and in general more abuse in the educational sector. (Author/KE)

A look at Moraine Valley Community College's data bank for systematically gathering, reporting and updating community socioeconomic data for occupational program planning and counseling. (Author)

Many authors of adolescent novels follow a formula when developing a pattern of action. The formula, however, is not predictable and may be one of action, humor, or ideas. (JH)

The article traces the history of the feminist movement from the first Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, 1848, to the present. The social and historical elements which have influenced the movement are discussed. (Author/RM)

Analysis of responses of 167 husbands and wives to the Blood and Wolfe family decision and job performance instrument revealed similar distributions of the two sets of responses but substantial discrepancies between spouses which appeared to be randomly distributed and offsetting, suggesting that they may be caused by perceptual differences rather than systematic bias. (Author)

Article describes a career program evaluation model which emphasized an employer evaluative data base. (Author/RK)