| The purpose of this study is to research strategies utilized by institutions that have successfully recruited and retained underrepresented groups. This study is in part a replication of the surveys conducted by Brennan and Plake (1990) and Patelis, Kolen, and Parshall (1996) that researched the shortfall of personnel entering educational measurement programs. These studies concluded that a shortfall exists and would continue to exist in the foreseeable future. Patelis, et al (1996) concluded that this shortfall would be especially severe for diverse groups. Therefore, this study focused on the severity of recruitment and low enrollment among persons of color in educational measurement programs.; This study was conducted in two phases. First, a 10-item survey questionnaire was administered that researched the current demographic composition of students and faculty at 47 universities that offer educational measurement programs, as well as the strategies currently in place for recruiting and retaining students. The second phase, involved an on-site interview with the chairs of the educational measurement departments, as well as students at two universities that indicated the most significant results of the survey. This in-depth approach provided a richer and more personal account of the strategies used to recruit and retain diverse students. This study was significant for the following three reasons. First, the general problem has inherent importance, which impacts on the future of the educational measurement profession. Lambert (1989) reported that the number of positions with measurement as a primary field of study, as well as the number of students interested in measurement as a career has been generally declining. In addition, Pruit (1989) reported that of the 52.3% of the doctorates awarded to Blacks in 1984, most of them were in education administration or supervision. Fewer than ten doctorates each were awarded in educational statistics and research, educational testing, school psychology, and preschool education. Second, Patelis et al (1996) reported that only 30%/32% of master's and doctoral programs were comprised of underrepresented groups. This study will enhance the profession through increased awareness of techniques to attract diverse persons to the profession. Third, the limited research and literature in this area is indicative of a need to establish better and more scientific measures of recruiting and retaining underrepresented groups. |
