Archived: National Institute of Postsecondary Education, Libraries, and Lifelong Learning

A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

March 1996

New Publications

Hot off the press is New College Course Map and Transcript Files: Changes in Course-Taking and Achievement, 1972-1993 by Clifford Adelman. This reference work is a compilation of precisely what is studied, where, and by whom, in the nation's colleges, community colleges, and postsecondary trade schools. If you would like a copy, write us, and we'll get one out to you right away!

And don't miss this one: Family Literacy: Directions in Research and Implications for Practice, edited by L. Ann Benjamin and Jerome Lord, which focuses on the family as a miniature learning community, and lays the foundation for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to construct a research agenda that fosters learning in a family context.

Research Centers Update

In February 1996 a $2.5 million grant was awarded to Stanford University, in consortium with the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan, for a new National Center for Improving Postsecondary Education. Competition for a new center on Adult Learning and Literacy will close on March 13. New centers funded by other OERI institutes include: (1) Enhancing Young Children's Development and Learning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; (2) Improving Student Learning and Achievement at the University of Wisconsin - Madison; (3) Improving Student Assessment and Educational Accountability at the University of California at Los Angeles; (4) Meeting the Educational Needs of a Diverse Student Population at the University of California at Santa Cruz; and (5) Increasing the Effectiveness of State and Local Education Reform Efforts at the University of Pennsylvania.

Field-Initiated Studies Update

On September 14, 1995, the notice inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year 1996 appeared in the Federal Register. The deadline for receipt of applications was January 5, 1996. Because of the government-wide shutdown, the deadline date for applications has been extended to March 13, 1996 (see Federal Register p.5389 dated February 12, 1996). For information on these grants, you may contact Delores Monroe at (202) 219-2207 or FIS@INET.ED.GOV.

Community-Based Education

To explore the unique aspects of community-based education and to identify areas where research would be most beneficial to our understanding of adult lifelong learning, the Institute commissioned eight papers from leading educators in the field of community-based education. These papers served as a springboard for discussion at an Institute-sponsored design conference, "Public Libraries and Community-Based Education: Making the Connection for Lifelong Learning," held in April, 1995. The proceedings of this conference will be available for release this April. If you would like a copy, let us know. Full text copies of the commisioned papers can be ordered from the ERIC Document Reproduction Service at (800) 433-3742. Please order by accession number:

Community-Based Organizations and the Delivery of Lifelong Learning Opportunities by Michael Galbraith (IR 017334)

Rural and Small Libraries: Providers for Lifelong Learning by Bernard Vavrek (IR 017335)

Current Practice and Potential: Research and Adult Education in Museums by Annie Van Fossen Storr (IR 017336)

Community Based Adult Jewish Learning Program: Issues and Concerns by Paul Flexner (IR 017337)

On Learning to (Un)Learn for a Better Life by Elio DeArrudah (IR 017338)

Adult Literacy and Lifelong Learning: Essential Issues by Anita Allen and Sylvia Keene (IR 017339)

Public Libraries, Lifelong Learning, and Older Adults: Background and Recommendations by Connie Van Fleet (IR 017340)

The Cooperative Extension System: A Facilitator of Access for Community-Based Education by Barbara White and Byron Burnham (IR 017341)

In-House Research

The Institute is conducting an in-house research program. The topics currently under investigation include:

Cognitive skills in postsecondary education and work;
Distance learning in postsecondary education;
Study of women's colleges;
Literature review on lifelong learning;
Study of library literacy programs;
Study of library program fellowship recipients; and
Patterns of library usage.

Furlough

On December 18, 1995, there was a partial government shutdown. As you are probably aware, the U.S. Department of Education, under which our Institute is housed, was one of the agencies furloughed. After three weeks the furlough was lifted and employees were to return to work on January 8, 1996 but then the BLIZZARD of '96 hit Washington forcing the closure of the entire government in the metro area. The first day back to work for us was January 11 for only one day! More snow closed the government yet again on January 12! We are now back in force and catching up in record time.

Let Us Hear From You!

We hope you find this newsletter informative. Feel free to write us about issues in postsecondary education and about what you'd like to see in this newsletter. David Boesel, the Institute's acting director welcomes all comments and suggestions. Write to:

Newsletter
National Institute on Postsecondary Education, Libraries, and Lifelong Learning
Office of Educational Research and Improvement
U.S. Department of Education
555 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20208-5531