Followed the progress of eight cohorts of first-year college students taking an orientation course between 1986 and 1993. Found that, compared to students who did not take the course, they fared significantly better in retention, graduation rate, grade point average, and other satisfaction, participation, and skills measures. (EV)

This chapter describes how an action research framework facilitates using evaluation and assessment results to improve programs and demonstrate institutional effectiveness. (Contains 1 table.)

New 9th graders reflect on the worries they had as middle school students about moving into high school. They also suggest ways of easing the transition and providing support in 9th grade. Teens want teachers to connect middle school students regularly with high school students, give them more responsibility in middle school, and focus on…

A sample of 3,484 incoming first-year students at a large, mid-Atlantic University were surveyed to assess a variety of attitudinal and behavioral variables pertinent to the college experience. The current study focused on how student value system orientation, or the degree to which values are open or closed, related to key aspects of college…

As revealed by its title, this booklet shows how schools can be made safe and welcoming places for children. Such schools are likely to foster children's learning and their motivation to continue learning throughout their lives. The booklet has been prepared for inclusion in the Educational Practices Series developed by the International Academy…

We conducted an archival study of at-risk students who had "stopped out" of college for many reasons (academic dismissal, financial problems, personal problems, etc.) and who later were accepted to return to school. Approximately 27% of the accepted students chose not to return. Those who returned had higher grade point averages, had completed…

This volume contains a compilation of 68 abstracts by presenters from various nations at a 5-day conference on the first year college student experience. Among the topics considered were: advising and assessment programs; preparing freshmen for work, family, and private life; integrating reentry women in the college community; evaluating…

This study assessed the attitudes of three groups that participated in Upward Bound, a newly instituted academic advisory program at Tomball High School in Texas. It also provided a baseline of data to measure students' academic performance. The three groups, 300 high school freshmen, 115 of their parents, and 33 full time faculty, responded to…

This practicum report describes a program intended to increase parent participation by improved information delivery at an elementary school. Background study of the school and community indicated approximately a 25% turnover rate of new families and students. Attendance at parent education workshops and school orientation tours before program…

Results of student and parent assessments of a 1986 summer orientation at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, are presented. A total of 805 students and 372 parents completed an evaluation form that used a Likert scale. Of the 18 questions, 7 were identical for both students and parents. These concerned the overall rating of the…

The summer 1987 high school Institute for Career Exploration (ICE) Program was a theme-based instructional program for incoming 9th and 10th grade students who were eligible for services provided by chapter 1 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act, students with limited English proficiency, and special education students who recently…

In winter 1982-83, a survey was conducted of registration and assessment procedures used in California's community colleges. The survey, which was sent to 106 institutions, sought information on the colleges' procedures in the areas of course advising and registration, orientation, counseling, course changes, computer usage, testing requirements…

More and more older adults are returning to college, either to complete academic degrees or to take refresher courses in their professional areas. Educators can accommodate nontraditional students' needs by understanding the motivations that bring these students back to school and by providing them with educational counseling that will enhance…

THE USE OF THE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION BOARD TEST FOR PLACEMENT IN FRENCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN IS OUTLINED. A GENERAL STATEMENT ON CUT-OFF SCORES IS FOLLOWED BY PLACEMENT STATISTICS FOR OVER 1,200 STUDENTS WHO TOOK THE TEST DURING SPRING AND SUMMER OF 1966. TEST PERFORMANCE, COURSE SELECTION, AND NUMBER OF YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL FRENCH…

This paper presents a brief history of higher education in United States prisons, and then describes an on-campus education program for ex-offenders at John Jay College. The following topics are covered: (1) establishing and planning the college orientation program; (2) primary objective and ultimate aim; (3) needs and limitations of ex-offenders;…