The author, having drawn examples from her doctoral study, describes how a thematic analysis approach was employed to interpret raw data in her doctoral study which explored the impacts of a high-stakes test on students and parents in Nepal. As the main purpose of this paper is to provide some guidelines for English language teaching (ELT)…

Describes a study of the educational attitudes of junior and senior middle school students in Guangzhou and Xi'an, China. Reveals desires among students to continue their educations. Reports that among junior middle school graduates, there is a growing willingness to allow vocational orientation to govern educational orientation. (SG)

Discusses the effects of different motivational orientations on students with learning disabilities and the variables affecting intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Instructional recommendations are made for enhancing academic intrinsic motivation, including involving students in the learning process, responding positively and praising students,…

Argues that high student aspirations are part of a positive school climate and an important component of school effectiveness strategies. Outlines research needed to clarify these relationships and to examine the impact of teacher and staff behavior on student aspirations. (SV)

In spring 1984, a study was conducted by the Center for the Study of Community Colleges to examine various facets of transfer education at urban community colleges. Part of the study focused on the large discrepancy between the number of community college students saying they wanted to earn a bachelor's degree and the actual number who attained…

The attitudes of teachers, counselors, administrators, parents, and students must be changed to encourage gifted urban minority students to achieve their academic potential. Teachers, in particular, must recognize how they can help these students by maintaining contact with parents, encouraging students, and making them aware of opportunities.…

As part of the ongoing process of self-assessment begun with the 1973 Graduate Follow-up Study of the 1971 graduates and continued in 1978 with the 1976 graduates and in 1983 with the 1980 graduates, it was decided to conduct a survey of the 1983 seniors of the Mesa Public Schools during the spring of 1983. The data collected and analyzed at that…

This paper presents the results of a survey titled "Postsecondary Plans of Nevada High School Seniors" that is administered biennially to provide educational planners with information about Nevada high school seniors' postsecondary plans. The survey consists of 43 questions and provides information in six areas: demographic…

In order to advance our understanding of the mechanisms through which women come to be underrepresented in mathematics and science, factors associated with the academic choices of students in three grade ll classes were studied. Information was gathered through questionnaires, interviews with students and with their mathematics teachers, classroom…

A study investigated key factors used by 344 first-year college students to assess their fit to their university. Applying concepts of cognitive dissonance, the study showed perceptions of student/institution fit to be related to key attribute and aspirational variables. Implications for enrollment management, especially retention, are discussed.…

This paper presents a study designed to determine the reason first and post-first year students (N=61) chose to leave Chicago Urban University (CUU) prior to graduation. Data were sought from a random sample of 100 students via either a mailed or a telephone survey, with a 61% response rate. The 54-question interview/survey instrument examined the…

The personal, academic, financial, and vocational/educational characteristics of over 6,800 students attending 32 private colleges and universities in Indiana were studied, as part of a larger study. At the time of applying to college, 49.4 percent of the students lived in Indiana. About 88 percent were 18-24 years old, and nearly 80 percent began…

Attributions for school success and failure were examined among 112 Native American and 99 Anglo students at a large, urban multi-campus community college system in the Southwest, by using the Multidimensional-Multiattributional Causality Scale. All subjects were in remedial reading classes; 48% were male and 52% were female. Mean age was 24.1,…

A study of 308 communications professionals in south Florida investigated interest in graduate programs, both formal degree programs and professional continuing education. Results indicate the primary reason for enrollment in a formal degree program is not economic but perceived benefit to the employer. More minority group members wanted formal…

A survey of 1,499 graduate business students at 7 colleges and universities investigated perceptions of potential benefits of an advanced degree, and their relationships with degree type, school size/type, and student characteristics. Five perceived benefits included research and analytical skills, competitive advantage, monetary reward, career…