Models that have appeared in the student attrition literature in the past decade and behavioral models from the social sciences that may help explain the dropout process are examined, and an attempt is made to synthesize a causal model of student attrition. The models of Tinto, Spady, and Rootman in the area of student attrition, and models of…

This overview of law-focused education in the United States traces the legal education movement from 1962 to the present and discusses the functions and advantages of legal programs. Current efforts to revitalize legal instruction are the result of the ineffectiveness of past teaching approaches, a growing legal consciousness in the average adult,…

This chapter examines how adolescents' self-concept beliefs are powerfully influenced by frame of reference effects, which involve students comparisons of their ability levels with those of other students in the immediate context as well as assessments of their own ability and academic accomplishments. Noting that academic self-concept is…

Given the importance of adolescents' educational adjustment, a key question for those concerned with improving adolescent functioning is what can be done to increase adolescents' levels of educational functioning. This review addresses a number of broad facets of adolescents' educational functioning, including those in the psychological…

Explores the attitudes and motivation of American and foreign students who have unrealistic academic or career aspirations. Discusses counselors' and advisors' sterotypes and biases that may contribute to difficulties with such cases. Offers practical suggestions for working with students and adjustments counselors can make within themselves. (JAC)

Marva Collins' teaching style includes positive reinforcement, high teacher expectation, high motivation, and love. Cultural congruence, or the relationship between curriculum and the pupil's cultural experiences outside the school, is also a significant factor. Although she uses a traditional curriculum, Ms. Collins' success lies in the…

Examines the components of learner control, self-regulation, and the continuing motivation to learn as possible requirements and benefits of effective interactive instruction. Research literature is reviewed that addresses the interdependence of these three components, and suggestions are made for future research. (76 references) (LRW)

This study found that students using hypertext to learn technical information experienced an increased sense of control, and results provide preliminary evidence of an increased level of intrinsic motivation to learn among hypertext users. Implications for further research regarding the effects of hypermedia on intrinsic motivation are discussed.…

This response to Vicki Snider (EC 602 672) claims that teaching reading through students' learning style strengths has resulted in accelerated learning and significant gains in student motivation, reading fluency, and comprehension. The commentary discusses the research base on phonics instruction, learning styles, and The Reading Style Inventory.…

Summarizes research concerning the long-range effects of teachers' controlling strategies and children's motivational orientations on achievement-related behaviors. Evidence suggests that children with an extrinsic motivation toward schoolwork suffer from important deficits that are influenced by teaching strategy. Research findings are discussed…

Reports on a study of 323 Nigerian secondary students to determine what relationship exists between preferred and actual classroom environments and their approaches to learning science. Finds that Nigerian students prefer more teacher control, a less competitive atmosphere, and less emphasis on student friendships. (CFR)

Japan's economic success may have its origins in its educational system, which instills the values of persistence and hard work in children. This process is begun by Japanese mothers, continues throughout preschool and school, and is reinforced by cultural beliefs and practices. In one study, task persistence was significantly greater among…

Graduate student persistence is related to previous educational experiences of the student, faculty, and departmental support staff and resulting interpersonal dynamics between these three parts of the "academic triad." Any graduate student can be rendered academically incompetent by lack of necessary mentoring support. Graduate student…

The Whole Language (WL) approach is sweeping across classrooms in the United States, bringing with it motivating and innovative ways to teach language arts skills to primary school children. With its emphasis on individual discovery, language as a social activity, and diverse "literacy events," the approach employs many techniques that are used in…

This paper reviews recent findings in the field of neuroscience that may have a direct impact on specific methodologies and practices in education. It focuses on five concepts from neuroscience: (1) the mind-brain processes symbolic information; (2) neurons are imbued with an epistemic hunger and the mind-brain with a cognitive imperative to learn…