Using cognitive test data to simulate employment selection tests, data from 1,427 Northern Ireland students showed better science curriculum offerings in Protestant schools and differences in science provision for boys and girls. Poor science instruction adversely affects the range of career choices, especially for Catholic girls. (SK)

Survey examined dance education for undergraduate physical education majors in programs nationwide, investigating dance forms taught, hours required, professional preparation, and instructional methods. Results indicated almost one-third did not offer dance education. Those which required it had a narrow range of dance forms and mandated very few…

Analysis of data from an annual graduating medical students' survey revealed that a required third-year family medicine clerkship of at least four weeks is associated with a higher percentage of students choosing training and specialty certification in family practice. Whether clerkship inspires or reinforces preexisting choices is not indicated.…

Reports on a survey of teacher educators (n=38) about required computer courses for education majors. Most institutions required and offered one three to four credit computer course. Only 15 percent planned to supplement required courses. There were 51 computer labs on 40 campuses. Instructor presentation was the standard instructional method. (SM)

This study compared the cognitive development of 272 students in 7 graduate and 9 undergraduate social work programs. Students beginning their social work study at the graduate level scored significantly higher than students beginning social work study at the undergraduate level in their ability to see situations in more mature and complex ways.…

Reports a study gauging the average oral proficiency as measured by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) of college students (n=20) studying German at the end of their fourth semester. Discussion centers on reasonable expectations for high school graduation and for college language…

A survey of undergraduate students (n=473) from a small liberal arts university evaluated several independent variables (gender, community service, membership in campus organizations, and out-of-class experiences) in terms of goals associated with a liberal education. Analysis indicated that gender and type of extramural activities (i.e., student…

Due in large part to the trends towards economic globalization, English has become the most widely disseminated and ubiquitous international language. The purpose of the study was to investigate what Taiwan's EFL teachers at the elementary level believe about the policy of English as a compulsory subject and how they perceive the benefits and…

In response to the goal of improving college student retention, it was decided to require students in a freshman English course to participate in activities associated with academic persistence. Students (N=43) selected 3 of 4 retention-related activities in which to participate and recorded their experiences briefly in their course journals.…

In 1987, a study was conducted to evaluate the ability of several variables to predict student performance on Florida's minimum competency test for rising juniors, the College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST). The variables included grades received in required courses; semesters elapsed prior to taking required courses after entering college;…

A study was conducted to examine the status of office administration programs in the United States as they existed during the 1982 school year. Information was collected from 59 institutions with baccalaureate-degree programs in office administration. Results are presented concerning program titles, semester hour requirements, course requirements,…

This national survey revealed that most states (all but six) require the teaching of state history. The majority of the states have a state history textbook of adequate quality, have no curriculum guide setting parameters for state history, and do not require a state history course for teacher certification. (Author/RM)

Among 22 teacher educators of adapted physical education, 10 reported that their institutions offered a degree program in adapted physical education; 4 of these required practical training in rural districts. Eighteen institutions required an undergraduate course in adapted physical education; 12 of these courses contained a rural-oriented…

Reveals that students have a much more positive attitude toward required language study than is generally believed. A critical factor in this determination is the student's perception of individual progress toward mastery of the language. Students expressed the conviction that study of a foreign language should be required in a university…

The Arizona Elementary Foreign Language Task Force's response to a state mandate requiring foreign-language instruction in all elementary schools is described. After a review of curricular and personnel resource needs, Northern Arizona University's teacher-training model is summarized. (Contains 29 references.) (Author/LB)