Previous studies conducted by the California Postsecondary Education Commission regarding student eligibility and college going rates determined that gaps exist in eligibility and enrollment rates among racial/ethnic groups. White and Asian students are eligible for the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) at much…

One of the most pressing issues facing American universities is the number of students who fail to graduate. Nearly one out of five four-year institutions graduate fewer than one-third of its first-time, full-time degree-seeking first-year students within six years. Although there are various explanations for attrition, students often leave for…

"Status and Trends in the Education of Racial and Ethnic Groups" examines the educational progress and challenges of students in the United States by race/ethnicity. This report shows that over time, the numbers of students of each race/ethnicity who have completed high school and continued their education in college have increased.…

This research report examines the comparative educational condition of Latinos in the United States. The report discusses the dramatic shortfalls that plague the educational outcomes of Latinos relative to other racial and ethnic groups. The outcomes studied include educational attainment, school and university enrollment, basic cognitive skills,…

This article evaluates the "mismatch" hypothesis, advocated by opponents of affirmative action, which predicts lower graduation rates for minority students who attend selective post-secondary institutions than for those who attend colleges and universities where their academic credentials are better matched to the institutional average. Using two…

In this study of 248 predominantly heterosexual Asian American college students, we found some HIV risks: lifetime prevalence of unprotected sex (37%), alcohol before sex (23.8%), and drug use before sex (6.0%). The prevalence of lifetime anal sex is only 9%, but 90.48% of those who have ever had anal sex did so without a condom. The Sexual Risk…

Arizona Minority Education Policy Analysis Center (AMEPAC) is a policy center of the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education. AMEPAC's mission is to stimulate, through studies, statewide discussion, and debate, constructive improvement of Arizona minority students' early awareness, access, and achievement throughout all sectors of…

African Americans and Latinos earn lower grades and drop out of college more often than whites or Asians. Yet thirty years after deliberate minority recruitment efforts began, we still don't know why. In "The Shape of the River," William Bowen and Derek Bok documented the benefits of affirmative action for minority students, their communities, and…

The study investigated the applicability of previous experimental research on stereotype threat to operational Graduate Record Examinations® (GRE®) General Test testing centers. The goal was to document any relationships between features of the testing environment that might cue stereotype threat as well as any impact on GRE test scores among…

Nearly one-quarter of students in community colleges leave school during the first year of enrollment for reasons other than transfer or credential completion. Generally, nontraditional community college students drop out within their first year at higher rates than do traditional students. Using data from Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges…

Studies predicting success in college for students graduating since 1980 are reviewed. SAT scores and high school records are the most common predictors, but a few studies of other predictors are included. The review establishes that SAT scores and high school records predict academic performance, nonacademic accomplishments, leadership in…

This study investigated the relationships among client adherence to Asian cultural values, counselor expression of cultural values, counselor ethnicity, and career counseling process with Asian American college students. Clients who had high adherence to Asian cultural values evaluated Asian American counselors as more empathic and credible than…

Using data from Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count, this issue looks at changes in cohort composition. The analysis addresses the changing composition of the Achieving the Dream student cohorts from 2002 to 2005. The data show that at Achieving the Dream colleges, the percentage of Hispanic students increased over the four cohorts…

The annual report on the State of Higher Education in New Mexico has been enhanced to include more analysis as well as data. Compared to previous years, higher education in New Mexico is educating more New Mexicans and a broader spectrum of New Mexicans than ever before. Of particular importance given the mission to educate all of the citizens of…

This report summarizes the postsecondary plans and scholarship monies of graduates of Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) high school seniors in SY07-08. Postsecondary plans represent the intentions of seniors the year after graduation. Students indicate whether they plan to attend a 4-year college/university, junior/community…