The Starting School Research Project in Australia collected data from children, parents, and teachers to find out what they consider important as students start school--and how transition programs can help. A set of guidelines is provided for school programs that promote effective transition. (Author/MLF)

This paper explores how students adjust to life at universities outside their home countries. Much of the current body of research was conducted prior to the 9/11 tragedy and focuses primarily on studies within a single U.S. institution. This project expands the boundaries by including multiple institutions from around the globe post-9/11. The…

In recent years, there have been calls in many countries to ensure that children come to school "ready to learn." This paper is the first in a series that explored what is meant by this term by different groups of people and the ways in which the beliefs underpinning such a term influence decisions such as when children start school, the…

This research examined the relationships among personality factors, social support, emotional well-being, and academic achievement in 65 gifted secondary students, a sample drawn from a longitudinal study of over 950 students. The research demonstrated that, compared to their nongifted peers, gifted students had significantly higher academic…

Most of the students at Milpera State High School are in Australia because of wars, famine, or economic devastation in their homelands. Many have suffered the additional loss of parents and other family members. Some have low (or nonexistent) literacy in their native languages, and many have had few opportunities for formal education. Such…

Results from an ongoing study investigating talented pupils' adjustment to high school and their attitudes and expectations about high school are reported. In 1979, 57 pupils, identified by their teachers and testing procedures as academically talented, were asked to complete a questionnaire which sought information on how easily they had adjusted…

This study examined factors influencing the adjustment of children to the first year of school at four elementary schools in Australia. Statistically significant associations with children's adjustment were found for several factors, including personal and background factors, transition activities conducted by schools, children's preschool and…

Aggressive marketing of professional courses by Australian higher education institutions has led to increased foreign student populations. A hypothetical case is presented in which a course marketed to and attracting a specific population was found to be inappropriate, taking into consideration contextual and cultural issues. Viewed from this…

Discusses impact of New South Wales (NSW) policy on early school admission for young gifted children. Surveys attitudes of NSW principals about the policy and impediments to its implementation. Identifies social and economic factors as of greater concern for principals than the child's academic adjustment. Suggests that more awareness is needed…

The prevalence of subtle handicapping conditions, such as learning disabilities, behavior problems, and recurrent illness, in a population of 88 high-risk infants was investigated when the children reached 9 years of age. Infants had had birthweights of less than 1500 grams or had required prolonged mechanical ventilation in the neonatal period.…

A survey of 111 Asian students attending three South Australian universities found varied reasons for studying in Australia, four distinct student segments, but no dominant selection criteria. About one-quarter experienced communication problems, homesickness, or loneliness. Study-related difficulties varied, related to segment. A large minority…

Surveys of students at two Australian colleges (n=342 and 208) investigated their perceived stresses during the college experience. Respondents were more concerned with academic matters than a range of personal, interpersonal, and practical factors. Additional surveys of faculty indicate they are biased in their perceptions of student concerns.…

Judgments about the quality of students' experience of school generally focus on their academic performance and indeed this is an important indicator but closer attention needs to be paid to equally important, more broadly based outcomes that include social/emotional adjustment as they also are shown to impact on students' lives at, and beyond…

In recent years, there have been calls in many countries to ensure that children come to school "ready to learn." This study explored what is meant by this term by different groups of people and the ways in which the beliefs underpinning such a term influence decisions such as when children start school, the classes they enter, and…

This paper reports the results of a study on school satisfaction in two Australian States, South Australia and Queensland. The specific aims of the study were to examine feelings of satisfaction and dissatisfaction towards secondary school (including interest in subjects taken at school and their perceived relevance to future occupations) between…