Researchers and policymakers argue that expanding college access is one way to increase opportunities for students who would become the first in their families to enroll in a postsecondary institution. This article uses measures of educational attainment in the previous two generations to consider whether parents' own histories of educational…

This case study sought to gain a better understanding of the impact of the Cambridge Acceleration Program on students' transition from high school to college at one American university. The findings from an online questionnaire indicate that many participants develop a range of skills that are perceived as important in the context of university…

Up to six years of data (the current year and the five previous years where available) are presented in Louisiana's District Composite Reports. Each year, this report is updated by adding the most current year?s data and deleting the data that are more than six years old. Incorporating longitudinal data in the District Composite Report enables…

Community colleges utilize open-door admission policies to provide educational opportunities for all students, including those who are academically under-prepared in one or more areas. Current approaches to assisting under-prepared students include the targeted delivery of remedial courses in math, English, and reading. This approach typically…

Recently, research into gender differences in achievement has mainly concentrated on the underperformance of boys in comparison with girls. Qualitative research in particular points to the importance of the gender-specific cultures adolescents experience. The purpose of this article is to test quantitatively the explanatory value of academic…

The effects of relaxed college admission standards vary across students. A relaxed standard may raise the number of graduates but reduces nongraduates' productivity. The effect on the graduation rate is ambiguous, since "marginal" college attendees are less likely to graduate. A lower admission standard reduces performance among students exceeding…

This paper explores the links between socio-economic disadvantage, non-completion in higher education and preparation initiatives. It does this through investigating the effectiveness of the Top-Up Programme, a preparation course for 17 and 18 year olds from schools that have low participation rates in higher education. The University of Glasgow,…

This paper reports on a research project involving a sample of 19 state-educated students in their first year of a German course at Oxford University. The project is one of a number of research studies into widening participation issues funded by the Higher Education Funding Council of England (HEFCE) and the Sutton trust. The paper describes the…

The average overall Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) score for high school seniors in 1994 remained at 902 of a possible 1600. Math scores showed a one-point gain whereas the average verbal scire fell one point. Despite recent improvements in minority group scores, these dropped or remained stable in 1994. Math and verbal test scores for specific…

College student population trends are analyzed and charted, including first-time freshmen as a percentage of all undergraduates, total student applications, mean total applicants by institution type, percentage of applicants accepted by institution type, percentage of accepted student enrolling by institution type, high school grades, and faculty…

The 3rd phase of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Urban Systemic Initiative adds 7 new cities to its program to boost science and mathematics education in urban schools, with grants totaling $105 million. The program supports curriculum development to improve college preparation of students in socially and economically underprivileged areas.…

While college attendance rates in the South are approaching national rates and college preparedness has improved, access and completion among racial/ethnic minorities have not kept pace. Other trends are that Florida and North Carolina are encouraging pursuit of degrees within a more liberal and realistic time frame, college dependence on tuition…