This dissertation builds on literature centering first-generation college students (FGCS) with immigrant parentage in order to develop an understanding of how many of their unique and intersectional experiences may function as assets that could promote retention and degree completion. The sample is comprised of 30 FGCS who are also first- or…

Deciding whether and how to use assessments to evaluate students' social and emotional (SE) knowledge, attitudes, and skills requires the development and critical appraisal of an assessment plan. At the state, district, and school levels, education leaders and staff can benefit from reviewing best practices and using a structured format to arrive…

Education in the 21st century is awakening to a call for students who are not only proficient with academic content but who also have developed the social and emotional (SE) knowledge, attitudes, and skills that are necessary for success in college and careers. This brief refers to that combination of knowledge, attitudes, and skills as SE…

Community colleges enroll almost half of the undergraduates in the United States and provide students the option to earn a degree at a lower cost and offer more flexible class schedules than four-year colleges. However, among first-time, full-time degree-seeking students entering public two-year schools, only about 20 percent graduate with a…

Assessing individuals' social and emotional (SE) knowledge, attitudes, and skills is a complex task. It requires careful consideration of the assessment purpose, rigor, practicality, burden, and ethics. Once you have considered these factors and have determined that you are, in fact, "Ready to Assess," you are ready to act and choose an…

Encourages business teachers to advocate the private enterprise system and to attempt to present a totally balanced input of information so that students will have a sound basis for forming reasonable and fair attitudes. Presents suggested subjects for classroom discussion on economics, government, and labor.(CT)

The study examined expressed reasons for choosing the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) by undergraduate students majoring in social work there. Responses of 205 social work majors to a questionnaire found that these students chose UNI primarily because of location, size, cost, the presence of a social work program, to get a good education, to be…

A study investigated the attitudes of British first-year polytechnic or university students (n=38) and employed graduates (n=80) in science and technology fields up to age 30, concerning their choice of science/technology or nonscience/technology fields. Results indicate why some students are deterred from science/technology. (Author/MSE)

Provides an overview of an adult education program entitled, "Second Chance to Learn." The course aims to encourage and equip its participants in achieving a more active role in their communities and workplaces. Highlights of the course as well as participants' perspectives of it are presented. (ML)

Factors to be considered in deciding about nonpromotion of students include child factors (such as physical disabilities, physical size, self-concept, and ability to function independently); family factors (such as attitude toward retention and number of geographical moves); and school factors (school's, principal's, and teacher's attitude toward…

A study at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Massachusetts) found a positive relationship between freshman (n=262) decidedness regarding academic major and both anticipated adjustment (prematriculation) and actual adjustment (postmatriculation), more academically than socially. Comparison with another study suggests the relationship is stronger in…

A study investigated how the attribution of a problem solution to an individual or group affects the consumer's perception of the solution's quality. Based on the tendency to support group decision-making (Hydra phenomenon) it was predicted that decisions attributed to groups would be perceived as higher in quality than those made by individuals,…

Retention of students during the elementary years has been suggested as a possible reason for future difficulties in school. Procedures should be established by the schools to prevent retentions. Decision-making criteria are offered for when retention seems to be the only alternative. (DF)

A study investigated the influence of various information sources on graduate students' communicative, social, and academic expectations. Specifically, the study examined whether (1) those students who received preentry information about a university from an informal source would perceive that more of their expectations were met than would those…

The elementary science teacher is encouraged to present students with exciting and satisfying learning experiences in order to develop positive attitudes towards science. (CS)