Conducted as part of the Vocational Development Study project, this study utilized Path Analysis to develop, evaluate, and modify a model for predicting the stability of early expressed occupational choice of secondary students. Analysis of data from 550 students indicated that none of the 21 student characteristics investigated served as a…

This study reviews alternative admissions criteria that can be used to predict collegiate success. Data are from a 1999 review of Bachelor's Degree Attainment conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's data on college students, and the Texas Education Agency's Public Education Information…

Investigating student responses to a Classroom Behavior Survey, researchers were able to discriminate between high and low achievers in two courses of differing instructional design. Prediction of students' levels of achievement was based on student ratings of teacher behavior and teacher characteristics. Implications are presented for curriculum…

Whether college grades are gender-related to traditional predictors of aptitude test scores and high-school grades was studied. Fall and spring (1985-86) enrollments in 88 introductory university courses (IUCs) were analyzed. In most of the large IUCs, no gender bias held up on cross-validation in a subsequent semester. (TJH)

Summarizes the recent history of education reform and statewide testing in Texas. Suggest that analyses comparing Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) reading, writing, and mathematics scores with one another and relevant high school grades raise doubts about the reliability and validity of TAAS scores. Discusses these problems. (SLD)

The primary purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of a program designed to improve adolescents' relationships with at least one teacher in an urban high school. All participating students were nominated by teachers as having significant emotional and behavioral problems and approximately half of these youth were randomly…

The primary purpose of the study is to assess the degree to which SAT scores, high-school GPA (HSGPA) and class rank predict success in college. Data collected from students enrolled in several sections of Principles of Economics at the University of South Carolina in 2000 and 2001 are used to study the relation between college GPA (the dependent…

Presented at the Annual National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) in New York in March 2008. This presentation explores how different item weighting can affect the effective weights, validity coefficents and test reliability of composite scores among test takers.

The aim of this study was to appraise whether different forms of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) used since the mid 1970s varied in their correlations with academic performance criteria in the same cohort of examinees. A 1975 form and a 1985 form were administered to equivalent samples of high school juniors, and self-reported grade-point…

Many factors influence the development and socialization of American adolescents including peers, schools, family, and the community. This paper examines how the relationship of extracurricular participation influences academic growth. To determine if selected personal and academic variables during high school currently affect college academic…

Changes in the predictive validity of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) that have been observed in the University System of Georgia (USGA) over the past two decades were studied. Several analyses were performed using student data from 27 USGA schools to determine the effectiveness of the SAT in predicting freshman grades. National trends…

This research investigated course placement decisions for ethnic and gender groups. Success in four standard college freshman courses was predicted from scores on the American College Testing Program assessment (ACT) or high school subject area grade averages (SGA). The number of institutions varied from 13 to 50, depending on the course. Mean…

Promoting Achievement in School through Sports (PASS) is an academic high school curriculum developed by the American Sports Institute for students who love sports but are not performing up to their academic potential. The program seeks to demonstrate that PASS is an effective intervention for promoting academic achievement and school success.…

This paper describes a dropout prevention, residential summer program on university campuses in Arkansas. The Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) progam began in 1988 at Henderson State University and by 1990 five Arkansas universities hosted programs. Funds for the program are provided through state agencies, the universities, vocational funds,…

This study investigated the impact of school counseling services on students at four Latino plurality high schools in Chicago, Illinois. From 2001-2002, principals, counselors, and students at the four high schools completed surveys. A sub-group of diverse students completed focus groups, and counselors completed interviews. Findings from a total…