This qualitative study examined the experiences and impressions of first-time freshmen at Boise State University (BSU) in Idaho. Twenty-five freshmen completed weekly open-ended interviews, kept journals, and participated in an end-of-term group meeting during the fall term of 1996. The results indicated that most students found getting…

This study compared the outcomes and experiences of 275 older and 442 younger liberal arts students who had transferred from California community colleges to a research I California university in fall 1994 and spring 1995. The study's conceptual perspective was that of "quality of effort," which considers both what the institution offers…

Rural and Urban Images: Voices of Girls in Science, Mathematics, and Technology was a 3-year project that began in fall 1995 with a group of sixth-grade girls and followed the same girls through eighth grade. The project took place in two West Virginia counties, but this videotaped documentary features its implementation in rural McDowell County…

Alberta surveys of 231 junior high school students and 28 administrators found that students intentionally did not report most incidents of violence for fear of reprisals, believed that violent behaviors are normal, and were not satisfied with how victims and perpetrators of violence were dealt with by school staff. Administrators' and students'…

A survey of 219 Ohio State University students before and after freshman year investigated the relationship between retention and changes in freshman perspectives on social and academic issues. Results indicate faculty contact may play a significant role in student attitudes but may not affect retention. Retention may be only indirectly related to…

Qualitative analysis of language generated in structured interviews with 11 high-ability at-risk middle school children (who had not been identified for gifted programs) yielded information concerning personal difficulties, perceived support, familiarity with danger and violence, home environment, school experiences, perceptions of the future, and…

A study examined the role of school culture in student transitions to postcompulsory education in Scotland. Findings from 36 focus groups with 152 secondary students, college students, and job trainees indicate that schooling offered limited opportunities for identification with the world of work and for pathways other than staying on, and…

Norwegian girls' experiences in secondary school forestry courses were analyzed in terms of the "hero's journey" archetypal myth. Interviews with 12 girls and 11 boys in forestry courses indicated that girls were capable and fit for practical forestry work, gender attitudes were not a barrier, and girls did not meet opposition from male…

A study of the transition from high school to university of 16 freshman track and field athletes investigated academic, athletic, and social aspects. Student challenges included feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities, loneliness, and need to balance freedom and responsibility. Students used two main strategies to maintain perspective: (1) time…

Results of a longitudinal study of student experience at over 200 4-year colleges are summarized. The study focused on student outcomes and how they are affected by college environments. Key findings are discussed for three areas: academic development, personal development, and satisfaction. (MSE)

This study of the college experiences of 1,724 academically talented (upper 2%) high school seniors in Wisconsin did not support suggestions of a "brain drain" out of Wisconsin. The study also found that 82% of males and 72% of females majored in math-science areas and 60% felt ill prepared in foreign languages. (DB)

Factor analysis of a survey of 2,072 students in 176 courses in 4 departments of an Israeli community college revealed similarities in student satisfaction among departments with the teacher and interpersonal relationships between students the major contributing factors. Results suggested that an evaluation tool appropriate for many courses or…

A study investigated undergraduate psychology students' perceptions of an internship experience as it contributed to their transition to entry-level employment after graduation. It was found that the internship provided unique experiences, particularly concerning cooperation and communication with colleagues, but did not affect career choice or…

Frequency and quality of cooperative learning activities in fourth through sixth grade were correlated with measures of students' attitudes toward school, perceptions of classroom climate, intrinsic motivation, and performance on a reading comprehension and standardized achievement test. Found that effects of cooperative learning depended on the…

This study examined the effect of period of work placement on students' perceptions of their own attitudes toward learning. An edited Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIS) produced data consistent with findings reported by other researchers. Work experience did not affect students' perceptions of their approaches to learning.…