Responses of 5,000 parents to a family background questionnaire were assessed in the belief that social structures of underdeveloped countries must be studied before determining how they influence education. A logistic model is presented to statistically analyze social class and caste, parents' education, income, religion, and language ability.…

Studied the effect of gaming as an approach to reducing employee absenteeism. A longitudinal study in a small manufacturing plant, showed significant improvement in employee attitude and cooperation due to the opportunity for communication. Operant conditioning also resulted in somewhat lower absenteeism and tardiness. (Author/JAC)

Since the 1960s, many colleges and universities have shortened their school years. Driven by debate about the quality of undergraduate education and about whether students are getting their money's worth in college, some institutions are reexamining their academic calendars. Practical considerations, including student attendance patterns, make…

Evidence that youth programs have real benefits has prompted efforts to get young people in the door of out-of-school-time (OST) programs. Once youth are enrolled, attendance plays a key role in the participation equation. Children and youth will not benefit unless they attend programs regularly, and evidence is emerging that those who attend more…

Reducing absences and motivating learning--these are the two aims of the Motivational Strategies development programme at Ramiro Solans School in Zaragoza. Music and other art forms are the motive forces. Three years after its start, its achievements are impressive. (Contains 1 note.)

Year after year, the goal of educators, parents, and concerned citizens throughout Alabama is to provide this state's children with the highest level of quality education possible. The future of Alabama's businesses, industries, commerce, labor force, arts, humanities, and countless other areas are determined by the education that is provided to…

Data on student enrollment in all postsecondary institutions in the United States are provided, based on the Early National Estimates Survey which is part of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Enrollment in postsecondary institutions in the fall of 1986 is reported according to enrollment by sex and racial/ethnic group of student,…

Based on recommendations of a District Attendance Task Force, in 1980 the Ganado School District (a Navajo Reservation District) formulated an Attendance Improvement Plan which decreased the primary school's absentee rate 37% over previous years and which dramatically increased Friday attendance. The primary school targeted "high risk"…

This report examines the performance of the Worcester Public Schools, Massachusetts, highlighting the areas in which Worcester is succeeding and where it needs improvement. Indicators presented in the report were developed in collaboration with representatives of a wide variety of organizations, as well as public officials. The report provides…

Harvard Family Research Project's (HFRP) Issues and Opportunities in Out-of-School Time Evaluation briefs highlight current research and evaluation work in the out-of-school time field. These documents draw on HFRP's research work in out-of-school time in order to provide practitioners, funders, evaluators, and policymakers with information to…

In 1910 in the United States there were more than thirteen million foreign-born men, women, and children. More than four-fifths of those who arrived in that year were from southern and eastern Europeans countries and other countries in which the percentage of illiteracy is very large. Nearly three million of these foreign-born men, women, and…

If out-of-school-time (OST) programs are to achieve success in promoting positive youth development and learning, they must attract young people and maintain their consistent participation and long-term attendance. It is generally perceived that recruitment can be difficult, especially as youth grow older. A commentary on several recent large…

This paper describes the effectiveness of the Austin Independent School District's public school prekindergarten program during a 3-year period. In 1985-86, the program consisted of full-day classes serving low-achieving and limited-English-proficient (LEP) students in Chapter 1 schools. In 1986-87, the district implemented half-day classes in…

The issue of appropriate truancy intervention is addressed in this description of the efforts of Minneapolis, Minnesota to design a continuum of interventions that relies on the resources of both the school and juvenile court. Exigencies which precipitated a truancy pilot project are discussed: a shared belief that truancy is a signal for…

This absentee program project funded under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 was evaluated for the New York City Board of Education. Four Brooklyn high schools participated in the program. Selected students were two grades or more retarded in reading and mathematics as indicated by their standardized test scores. They…