Considers reasons for the secondary English teacher to keep abreast of current literary theory and offers suggested readings. (CRH)

This report focuses on secondary schools and a variety of youth projects in eight countries--Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Norway, United Kingdom--so as to provide a better understanding of what motivates youth to learn. The text is based on reports prepared by experts appointed by each participating country, in addition to…

This paper reviewed the current state of research literature on factors affecting utilization of university counseling services by Asian American students. The study was divided into two parts: one examined literature that focused exclusively on Asian American college students; the other explored Asian American utilization by examining studies…

Examines how 8th and 10th grade student and parent attitudes and aspirations affected postsecondary attendance. Two-year and four-year students differed by socioeconomic status; educational aspirations; and concerns about college costs, reputations, and admission standards. Recommends early intervention to effect long-term systemic change in the…

Assessed the spatial dimension of college enrollment and develops a model explaining the distributional patterns. The potential model uses migration theory and statistical techniques and has accurately predicted student enrollment patterns in the United States and Great Britain. (Author/JAC)

Argues that high student aspirations are part of a positive school climate and an important component of school effectiveness strategies. Outlines research needed to clarify these relationships and to examine the impact of teacher and staff behavior on student aspirations. (SV)

A study examined the way Japanese schools help their students find jobs and considered whether those aspects that seem to account for their success would be desirable and applicable in the United States. Hiring occurs in a three-step process in Japan. First, Japanese employers assign a certain number of jobs to a high school, depending on their…

This paper discusses the role of perceived self-efficacy during self-regulated learning, the process whereby students' cognitions manifest themselves in behaviors systematically oriented toward the attainment of academic learning goals. The conceptual focus derives from A. Bandura's social cognitive learning theory. A model of cognitive skill…

This report presents the findings from focus groups with first-generation students in Texas. The students shared what works to help them make the transition from high school to college, as well as what didn't work or what could work better to get more first-generation students into college. Pre-college services and programs can ease the transition…

This paper examines the potential influence of school reform policies on the high school dropout rate. We summarize a diverse set of reports on American education which recommend increasing academic standards in schools as a means for improving secondary school performance. We also describe our understanding of the processes by which youngsters…

Reviews literature on informal interaction of college students and faculty. Discusses role of student-faculty interaction with regard to effect on students' academic achievement, satisfaction with college, intellectual and personal development, persistence and attrition, and career and educational aspiration. Research is reviewed that supports…

The education literature provides numerous estimates of community college diversion and democratization effects measured in terms of educational attainment. Kane and Rouse [J Econ Pers 13 (1999) 64] suggest testing for diversion by comparing the impacts of two-year and four-year colleges on the changes in educational aspirations that underlie…

Guidelines regarding self-efficacy assessment are highlighted in the first section of this paper. In the second section, the issue of specificity versus generality of measurement is clarified. And last, preliminary results of a study of eighth graders (n=172) are presented which demonstrate that: (1) the optimal level of specificity of any…

In order that college and university educators and administrators could design a strategy for dealing with rural student dropouts, this study reviewed existing research on rural students who drop out of higher education. Although some research challenges the relationship between persistence in college and rural/urban background, corroborated…

Formulates three reference group hypotheses to explain why some disadvantaged students achieve more highly than others. Focusing on low SES Hispanic language minority students, analysis shows that both middle class and Hispanic reference group orientations have a positive impact on educational achievement. (PS)