This paper tested the hypothesis that certain cognitive, affective, and psychomotor variables were significant predictors of college persistence in the first few weeks of the freshman year. Data for the study involved 462 freshmen, with an average age of 18, who matriculated in the fall of 1997 at a public higher education institution; about 93…

This chapter draws on an extensive literature review to examine factors that influence the access and achievement of American Indians and Alaska Natives in higher education. American Indians are less likely to attend college than other U.S. ethnic groups. This underrepresentation is partly due to precollege attributes: low scores on college…

This document consists of ten issues of the newsletter "Community Update," containing articles on community and family involvement in education. Article topics include: a college education is necessary and possible; math and science study points out problems and positive solutions; the "America Reads Challenge"; meeting the…

The California Academic Partnership Program (CAPP) is a state-established and state-funded program involving public schools and both public and private colleges. CAPP funds curriculum development and diagnostic testing partnerships in accordance with its goal of developing cooperative efforts to improve the academic quality of public secondary…

This report presents information on the progress that 45 of the largest urban school districts, which comprise the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS), have made toward 6 basic educational goals in the form of several indicators. Indicators of progress on the six goals for the year 2000 are as follows: (1) increased achievement (districtwide…

This study examined academic literacy (the reading, writing, and verbal demands on students) as a foundation for a collaboration between high school and university faculty designed to ease transitions by students from secondary to postsecondary education. The 3-year project was conducted at an urban public university that enrolls approximately…

College performance of minority groups is addressed, including oppressed ethnic groups (Native Americans, Asian Americans, Puerto Ricans, Chicanos or Latinos, and Afro-Americans), as well as handicapped students and female students. This definition includes those who face discrimination because of race and/or oppressed ethnic status, physical…

The achievement of educational opportunity goals for the disabled in California is addressed in this report, which includes three brief working papers prepared for regional hearings and written testimony provided by 30 individuals. Included is the text of Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 3, which directed the California Postsecondary Education…

The characteristics and experiences of college freshmen who entered private black colleges in 1976 and 1985 were compared, based on data from the Cooperative Institutional Research Program's "The American Freshman: National Norms." Attention was focused on socioeconomic status (SES), academic preparation and confidence, reasons for…

These hearing transcripts and recommendations were in response to requests from the New Mexico Legislature for investigation of the state's role in Native American higher education. Section I contains abbreviated transcripts of testimony on 10 study committees covering needs and recommendations in curriculum/academic issues, off-campus training,…

Issues pertaining to underprepared students in colleges are addressed in five papers and an annotated bibliography. In "Can Higher Education Be Equal and Excellent Too?" K. Patricia Cross claims that colleges can provide equal access and quality if major changes are made concerning such outmoded practices as faculty-load formulas and…

Persistence rates and College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) passing rates are the two outcome measures most often used to assess success at Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC). A study was conducted to examine these two measures for comparative groups of students whose performance on the basic skills assessment measure ranged from passing no…

Key issues affecting Hispanic participation in higher education are evaluated, with attention to access, retention, and transfer. Societal factors influencing access are also covered: migration, technology, employment and income levels, and secondary schooling. In addition, postsecondary education in Puerto Rico is addressed. Hispanics constitute…

A study done by the United States General Accounting Office at seven higher education institutions that enrolled approximately 2,000 Indian students indicated that Indian students had lower assessment test scores and cumulative grade point averages than the general student population and that Indian freshmen particularly needed help.…

Guidelines for students from foreign countries who are considering entering a college or university in the United States and which will be useful to colleges and universities that have foreign applicants are presented. General information about postsecondary education in the United States and steps in the application process are addressed along…