Examines the literature on school choice and desegregation, reviewing the 1997 laws that constituted Connecticut's response to the 1996 state Supreme Court Sheff v. O'Neill desegregation ruling. Presents data on how the new policies have affected the attendance patterns of students belonging to different racial groups, concluding with a discussion…

Trends in projected demand for higher education are examined, including those resulting from new economic incentives for college attendance. Topics discussed include enrollment trends among traditional-age, older, and continuing students; noncredit students at traditional institutions; and distance students. Various aspects of "capacity" are…

Aware of the high correlation between class attendance and academic success, Vincennes University (VU) in Indiana implemented a "blue card" system to improve class attendance. The first week of class, students are asked to sign a blue card verifying their local address and allowing the release of academic information. Instructors begin…

This brief report outlines the preliminary plans of the University of Hawaii to develop a student flow model for its seven community colleges. This model will indicate the flow of students--progressing through class levels, changing majors, leaving or withdrawing from the institution. It will be used as a basic tool for planning and management…

Students who are at risk of dropping out of school can be identified retrospectively as early as third grade on the basis of attendance patterns, academic performance, and behavior. Check & Connect is a model designed to promote student engagement, support regular attendance, and improve the likelihood of school completion. The program has been…

Creating a classroom environment which is conducive to learning is one of the most important things a teacher can do. This becomes even more crucial as students enter classrooms with their cell phones, pagers, and beepers. Additionally, many students are tardy for class, leave early, or may not appear in class on numerous occasions. Therefore,…

The Annual Condition of Education Report provides a wide range of state-level data, including shifts in student populations and demographics, teacher salaries and characteristics, student achievement results, and school financial information. A few examples of the categories presented in this 22nd edition report include: (1) Enrollment; (2) Early…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) From No Child Left Behind to Every Child a Graduate: Members of Congress and Staff Vow that High Schools Will Be…

The Truancy Diversion Program began as a community focus on the problem of local students who did not complete their high school education. Representatives of local social and court services, the schools, and the Pittsburg State University Family Counseling Training Problem worked to develop a united effort to deal with children at risk of being…

This is an evaluation of the Parent Orientation Program. It was designed to: improve parental knowledge about school reading and mathematics requirements for their children; improve the performance of the parents in reading and mathematics through the evening adult program; and provide parents with school information via family workers. The…

A linear program model designed to aid in site selection and the development of pupil assignment plans is illustrated in terms of a hypothetical school system. The model is designed to provide the best possible realization of any single stated objective (for example, "Minimize the distance that pupils must travel") given any number of specified…

The first in a series of annual student profiles, this report provides data on student demographics and enrollment trends from spring 1994 through spring 1997 at the three colleges of California's Los Rios Community College District: American River College, Cosumnes River College, and Sacramento City College. Following a brief introduction, data…

Describes an attendance policy that, although initially successful in cutting absences, was widely disliked. Details the modifications that, without impeding effectiveness, made the program more respected. (JM)

This article draws attention to local and global attendance monitoring in higher education. The paper outlines benefits of attendance monitoring for both the individual learner and university, and compares traditional paper-based attendance monitoring systems with an electronic system piloted in the Business School and School of Technology at the…

A project identified as potential dropouts 53 Springfield (Ohio) South High School freshmen and 24 London (Ohio) High School juniors and seniors who demonstrated irregular attendance patterns and poor grade achievement. The 53 freshmen and 15 London High School students were enrolled in a career club, an intervention program to address their…