Special-entry summer schools at Scottish universities facilitate access to higher education for students who lack qualifications usually required for entrance. Evidence suggests that the scheme successfully meets its aims, but systematic research into the initiative's long-term effects would be valuable, particularly with regard to areas of social…

Summarizes findings of two upcoming reports on programs that support and strengthen the academic achievement of under-represented student groups at both K-12 and postsecondary levels. The most successful programs at both K-12 and postsecondary levels were those which were comprehensive, extended over a long period of time, and bridged educational…

This document brings together much of the information one might need to understand and discuss higher education issues. While this publication does not attempt to answer every question that may come up in discussions about higher education, it highlights the most often-asked questions about institutions, faculty, students, costs, budgets,…

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 booklet is written for educators who want to play a leadership role in the instructional use of computers and other information technology in precollege education. Although it is oriented toward the United States and Canada, many ideas are applicable in other countries. The first part of the book, the preface through Chapter 10, is a…

This paper reports on the results of a survey of remedial programs at public and private colleges and universities in the southern region of the United States and highlights remedial education patterns by state, race, and gender. Responses were received from 606 of the 826 institutions surveyed (73%). Among the report's findings are the following:…

Successful efforts to improve minority college student retention are discussed, including programs to expand educational horizons and aspirations, college preparation programs for junior high school students, early orientation, minority-directed services, promotion of cultural diversity, and reorganization of financial aid packaging. (MSE)

This report summarizes presentations and discussions concerning student preparation for college and for the workplace. Three educational reform initiatives were addressed: reforming college preparation standards and admissions practices, establishing school-to-work and workforce readiness, and changing undergraduate curricula and standards. Topics…

Since 1980, efforts to strengthen the academic preparation of students for college have been made on national, regional, state, and local levels. Cited as evidence of a problem in academic preparation have been: (1) the decline in students' college admission test scores in language, study, and computing skills over the past 17 years; (2) low…

Themes, impacts, and major recommendations are outlined for eight recent reports on educational quality: "Action for Excellence,""Academic Preparation for College,""A Nation at Risk,""The Paideia Proposal,""America's Competitive Challenge,""Meeting the Needs for Quality in the…

For Blacks to participate fully in higher education and professional achievements, colleges and school districts must work cooperatively to prepare Black high school graduates academically. Programs initiated by Indiana University Northwest and the Gary Public Schools identify promising high school students, steer them toward advanced courses, and…

Explores the role of school counselors in helping the fast-growing, ethnically diverse group of first-generation students seeking a college education. Focuses on these students' characteristics, the school counselor's role in the college admissions process, and ways that counselors can help students and their families prepare for college. (RJM)

Discusses a survey of community college students' parents, regarding their expectations from the college, their role in their child's college choice, and their observations following their child's first year. Reports that parents had high academic goals for their children but overestimated their academic abilities, and that the parents engaged in…

This report presents the results of a study that was conducted concerning the progress through the educational system, since the enactment of the Higher Education Act of 1965, of four large groups of Americans: women, Blacks, Hispanics, and low family income students. The study found that women have made steady and substantial progress over the…

The monograph provides a systematic explication of the underlying standards and principles that have been developed to help adult learners articulate what they know and can do, to clarify their claims to creditable achievement, to help assessors improve the reliability of assessment, and to save assessor time. Ten academic and administrative…