A study of the leisure reading patterns of rural ninth graders gathered data on what percentage of respondents claimed that they read in their spare time; non-reader's reasons for not reading; and such factors as types of books purchased, and where and when they were read. (EM)

The North Carolina State Board of Education, as part of the Quality Assurance Program established a computer proficiency requirement for diplomas issued to the high school classes of 2001 and beyond. The North Carolina Tests of Computer Skills (multiple-choice and performance) must be administered at the end of grade eight with subsequent…

Few researchers have asked students directly about what they know and need to know regarding college and career planning. Given the critical choices made early in high school, ninth graders (n = 222) were surveyed regarding their educational and career plans and the resources they were using in their decision-making. Overall results as well as…

This guide is intended for use in teaching a course in transportation systems. The course, which has been designed for students in grades 9 and 10, is intended to provide a basic understanding of transportation systems and the role of energy systems in transportation. The first two sections discuss the guide's development within the framework of…

The course materials included in this guide are intended to introduce students to the manufacturing industry and its relationships with society, individuals, and the environment. The following topics are covered in the nine learning modules: manufacturing and society and manufacturing systems; manufacturing materials and processes (types of…

One of four curriculum guides designed to aid teachers of grades K-9 in implementing a balanced, dynamic traffic safety program, this level D guide contains materials for teachers of grades 7-9. Emphasis is on preparation for the driving task and content is in three units. More sophisitcated approaches to pedestrian, bicycle, and school bus…

This guide is intended for use in teaching a course in construction systems. The course, which is intended for students in grades 9 and 10, examines construction technology in terms of a sequential process that includes the planning, building, and servicing of structures. The first two sections discuss the guide's development within the framework…

The guidance and counseling department of a western North Carolina middle school wanted to identify more precisely what it was that a week's participation in Outward Bound provided for their students. Outward Bound is an adventure-based, or wilderness-based, educational experience that promotes self-esteem through achievement in a challenging…

A recent study of ninth- and tenth-grade dropouts in North Carolina shows that Hispanic adolescents have the highest early dropout rate among the state's largest ethnic groups. This relationship persists when boys and girls are analyzed separately: Hispanic boys are more likely to drop out early than other boys are, and Hispanic girls are more…

The opportunity and right to obtain a free public education provides the opportunity for all Americans to achieve success socially, financially, and professionally. The public education system has endured decades of changes as it attempts to address social, cultural, and academic issues that arise as the nation evolves. The public education system…