Educational distribution tables were constructed which indicate that, generally, schools and school districts that scored in the upper (or middle, or lower) third of a ranking of Michigan districts on composite achievement also ran high (or middle, or low) on other assessment measures. The same type of relationship was generally found between…

Notes that poor readers often equate reading difficulty with failure and exhibit stress reactions, and suggests that teachers take these feelings into account to help with remediation. (JC)

"Avenues to Success in College," a noncredit first-year orientation course, taught study and coping skills, familiarized students with campus facilities, and provided information about drug/alcohol use and other first-year concerns. Students completing the course earned higher average grades, were less likely to experience academic…

A study found college honors (n=231) and nonhonors (n=709) first-year students were similar in extracurricular interests, educational objectives, and some study habits; they reported differences in most other areas. Findings have implications for advising both groups, such as placement of emphasis on format of academic courses, orientation to…

High-risk college freshmen (n=72), most African-Americans, who participated in a deliberate psychological education-based orientation course that addressed minority student needs and incorporated principles of student development, achieved significant increases in cognitive development, study skills, and course satisfaction. However, achievements…

This study assessed student perceptions of service at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane (Australia). Data were based on open-ended discussions with 48 undergraduate focus groups during which participants were asked what they perceived to be the good and bad aspects of university life, what they did to cope with obstacles, and how…

The three studies presented in this document investigated factors that influenced students not to enroll in Ohio joint vocational schools (JVS's) and their nonvocational students in the comprehensive feeder schools for the Springfield-Clark JVS, Lawrence County JVS, and Vanguard JVS during the 1989-90 school year. A student questionnaire acquired…

This study explored perceptions of two-year public college students regarding their growth and preparation, in relation to areas of study, gender, cumulative grade point average (GPA), hours of current employment, and respondents' perceptions of goal attainment. The selected samples of students consisted of 6,655 students at 35 two-year public…

Results of the 1981 American Council on Education (ACE) freshmen survey for Saint Mary's College, Indiana, are examined. A total of 403 freshmen at Saint Mary's, 82 percent of the incoming class, participated. Comparative data for 1976-81 are presented for Saint Mary's freshmen. Three types of national norms were used: women at all four-year…

An input-output model for studying student outcomes is examined, along with the results of a longitudinal study using this approach. An Entering Student Survey was designed to measure characteristics of incoming students, including demographics, expectations, and aspirations. A Follow-up Survey measured outcomes that were relevant to the college's…

Created in 1974, the Connecticut Wilderness School is a successful program for breaking patterns of failure due to negative self-image and instilling positive values of confidence and responsibility in order to develop constructive attitudes and behaviors in young people aged 15 to 20 who have run into trouble with the law. The wilderness program…

The conceptual framework underlying the study reported in this book is based on the premise that an adolescent's career development and intentions and decisions with respect to future career depend on three interrelated factors: social origin, present experience, and attitudes and preparedness for the future. Traditional patterns are followed in…

Noting that adolescents' academic achievement depends, to a large degree, on adolescents' motivation, this chapter takes an achievement goal theory perspective to show how the manner in which adolescents adopt differing achievement goal orientations provides a framework for understanding the processes that contribute to their adoption of adaptive…

Comparison of the responses of Asian, black, and white honors students attending a first-year seminar at a large research university found that Asians differed most often from white and black students on all issues. Academic issues most often engendered group differences. Results suggest that racial subgroups in the honors student population have…

This study examined the application of the ecological approach and community education to support the participation of 27 male students at a Finnish reform school in various leisure time activities and facilities. The students expressed needs to join in the production system, cultural system, contact system, and decision-making system of society.…