Is the criticism of today's public schools and its employees unwarranted? This document highlights some data that cast the performance of American public schools in a more favorable light. Contrary to popular belief, today's students compare favorably with those in the past and with students in other countries. A higher percentage of American…

The third in a series of multiple-year reports on California community college enrollment, this report enables readers to compare enrollment at individual colleges during the 1990s. It's designed especially for persons at the state and local levels who use data on community college students for planning and analytical purposes. This document…

This paper presents a theoretical discussion of how students make educational behavior decisions including attending a given institution, transferring, or dropping out. The theory is seen to apply to students of all ages and both sexes with implications for all areas of postsecondary education. The theory holds that educational decisions are based…

In 1981-82, a community needs assessment study was conducted to assist Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) in improving programs, meeting educational needs, evaluating promotional efforts, facilitating attendance, providing information to the community, evaluating program quality, and planning programs. A survey, sent to 1,173 SCCC…

Revised forecasts for enrollments for 1985-1995 for Texas higher education institutions are presented. After a brief narrative overview of trends, statistical tables are presented, including the following: enrollment forecasts for higher education in the state, enrollment forecasts and changes for public senior institutions, headcount enrollment,…

This report presents preliminary statistics on program completions in accredited institutions of higher education in the United States during academic year 1986-87. The tabular summaries presented in the report are based on data collected through the annual survey of completions which is part of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.…

The predictors of students' completed and planned enrollments in college level computer courses were examined. A total of 195 college freshman and sophomore students (102 females and 93 males) who were enrolled at a large land-grant university in the southern region of the midwestern United States completed instruments measuring computer…

A study was conducted to compare the attrition rates at Vancouver Community College (VCC) with those of other British Columbia two-year institutions; to determine the effects of factors such as program duration and employment outlook on attrition; and to identify ways of minimizing the negative effects of attrition. Outcomes factors were…

The purpose of "Operation Challenge" developed at the Center of Excellence, North Florida Junior College, is identifying potential college students and motivating them to complete high school and enroll in post-secondary education. During its first year of operation several components were implemented: (1) the identification and…

A summary of the Outcomes Structure developed by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) is presented. The Outcomes Structure consists of three dimensions: those affected by the outcome (the audience); the type of outcome; and when the outcome occurs or is expected to occur (time). Potential uses of the Outcomes…

Issues concerning participation by minority groups in higher education in the United States are considered, along with some criticisms of higher education concerning: the substance and style of undergraduate education; efficiency and cost of college; a confusion of aims, missions, and goals among colleges and universities; and access, choice, and…

Examination of college enrollment in Atlanta, Georgia, showed the starkest contrasts between White gains and Black declines of any of the five metropolitan regions studied by the University of Chicago's Metropolitan Opportunity Project: while there were no declines in enrollment for White or Hispanic students, there were substantial declines for…

The Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education is required by statute to "establish guidelines to promote and facilitate the transfer of students between institutions of higher education within the state," thus allowing students to complete a degree program in the shortest time possible whether remaining in one institution or…

An overview of the theories of Tinto and Astin on student integration and involvement with references to the Chicano student dropout rate and persistence is provided. Topics include the following: the effects of integration and involvement; Tinto's theory of student departure; Astin's theory of involvement; linking integration and involvement;…

Data on short-term (first-year) and long-term (four-year) retention in the University System of Georgia are presented. This report shows the first-year retention rates for all first-time, full-time freshmen students who entered a University System institution in the fall quarter of 1986. The aggregate 1-year rates for the system as a whole, for…