The occupational therapy department of a medium-sized eastern Pennsylvania university developed and piloted the "Greater Opportunity for Academic Learning and Living Successes" (GOALS[superscript 2]) program in collaboration with the Office of Student Accessibility. The program intended to expand the traditional accommodations offered to…

Students face a wealth of challenges in college for example a lack of support, sometimes making it difficult to persevere. However, in an academic environment that teaches grit and fosters growth, students can learn to persist. Those who believe intelligence is fixed and cannot be changed exert less effort to succeed. Students who persevere when…

Purpose is an important aspect of character development and thriving in adolescence; yet, there is little research explaining how it develops or how contexts such as school can support its development. In this study, 1,304 eighth graders completed a survey that measured purpose as the integration of 2 dimensions-- beyond-the-self life goal…

This study focused on understanding female student persistence in a STEM community college program. The researcher conducted a mixed-methods study which utilized a student survey that asked both male and female students questions focused on encouragement received in school and perceived persistence level to complete their STEM program. Interviews…

The authors identified the process that 10 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) high school students used to establish an informal adult-mentor relationship with a school personnel member. Five major themes emerged: (a) how LGBT students determined whether this person would be a safe mentor, (b) a listing of the important qualities of…

Black and Latino young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are at disproportionate risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV. This study informs school-centered strategies for connecting YMSM to health services by describing their willingness, perceived safety, and experiences in talking to school staff about sexual health.…

The virtue of student engagement in all aspects of college life has been studied extensively throughout higher education. Research demonstrates that engagement in academics and the social aspects of college lead to retention and persistence. Beyond persistence, engagement has been linked to numerous other desirable effects of college. This…

Although teachers continue to implement an array of best practices, learners identified as unsuccessful according to criteria may lack engagement to succeed in the current curriculum activities. Even as teachers continue to apply best practices in the classroom, data does not support continued improvement of student engagement and achievement of…

The tenure track in higher education represents a path shrouded in a fair degree of mystery. This essay provides the perspective of a middle-aged, second-career tenure track faculty member on the vagaries of progressing down the track as an out lesbian. Three dialectics that build tension into the process--covering-creating, evaluation-liberation,…

This report presents a detailed assessment of the extent to which "The Pittsburgh Promise"--a postsecondary education scholarship intended to remedy the area's population decline, foster high school completion and college readiness among Pittsburgh district students, and prepare a capable and energetic workforce for the city--has met its…

This study examines the relationships between students' academic motivation, evidence of achievement as measured by assessments and the effects of feedback in mediating effort. Policy makers currently view student achievement is as synonymous with proficiency on standardized tests. Testing students as a means of determining educational…

Information has been compiled regarding present and former students at Harrisburg Area Community College (Pennsylvania). Topics included in this study are academic ability and achievement, family background, enrollment in the college by curricular area, students' evaluations of the college, activities of former students, and their evaluations of…

This report is the third in a series of studies conducted to provide information about the characteristics, achievements, perceptions, and activities of current and former students of Harrisburg Area Community College. Included is a description of matriculants who have discontinued their attendance without having earned an associate degree or…

Postsecondary plans of over 16,000 freshmen and seniors enrolled in Pennsylvania's public and private high schools during 1983-1984 were studied. Attention was directed to the effect of community, school, family, and student personal factors and characteristics that influence student decisions to attend various forms of postsecondary education.…

The IADIS CELDA 2012 Conference intention was to address the main issues concerned with evolving learning processes and supporting pedagogies and applications in the digital age. There had been advances in both cognitive psychology and computing that have affected the educational arena. The convergence of these two disciplines is increasing at a…