The development and current status of "special-action" admissions at the undergraduate level are considered for the University of California and California State University, and recommendations are offered for strengthening the special-action admissions process. Special-action admissions provides some flexibility in admitting students…

Using recent theory and research on individual differences, learning, and instruction, this paper attempts to answer the following two questions: What criteria should be used to select students to receive services under Chapter 1 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act (1981) and what kinds of chapter 1 services should be provided to…

Heckman's correction for regression in selected samples for predictive validity studies was applied to a large data file on 7,984 law school applicants. Data included ethnic group, sex, socioeconomic status, undergraduate degree, school, scores on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), writing ability, undergraduate grade point average, and age.…

Information about the mature student in tertiary institutions in Australia was obtained in a 1976 survey. Responses from 98 institutions provided information on whether there were special entry schemes or other methods of entry for mature aged applicants, the selection procedures, the number of mature aged entrants in 1976, and the courses in…

The Regents of the University of California v. Bakke case in the U.S. Supreme Court and background information on the previous cases in California are presented. Allan Bakke is a white male who applied to the Davis medical school in both 1973 and 1974 and was refused admission even though admission slots under the college's special admissions…

The author presents his view that the public has not been well informed about the limitations of college entrance examinations. Several educational trends are discussed: (1) since World War II, college admissions testing has underscored the classic American tension between egalitarianism and meritocracy; (2) more students have aspired to attend…

Using historical data on applications and admissions to medical school between 1929 and 1984, this study tested the hypothesis that medical school admissions committees discriminated against women. The findings suggest that, as far back as 1929, the low representation of women was primarily due to socialization-based occupational choice. (JDH)

Race-conscious affirmative action programs in higher education are subject to strict scrutiny, which is the highest standard of review used by the courts to evaluate a policy's constitutionality. The courts employ a two-part test, examining whether the policy serves a compelling governmental interest (the underlying goal of the policy must be…

In "Reclaiming the Game," William Bowen and Sarah Levin disentangle the admissions and academic experiences of recruited athletes, walk-on athletes, and other students. In a field overwhelmed by reliance on anecdotes, the factual findings are striking--and sobering. Anyone seriously concerned about higher education will find it hard to…

Although a number of large-scale studies have demonstrated an increase in predictive validity when SAT® scores are added to high school grades, this increment is often described in terms of a seemingly very small increase in explained variance. This may have led to the erroneous belief among test critics and others that students with low SAT…

Efforts to improve the reliability or prediction in dental school admissions by combining several preprofessional academic averages and selected nongraded personal attributes into a single admission index score are outlined. Use of the index is also proposed for use in monitoring less-qualified students' progress. (Author/MSE)

Admission policies and academic standards are seen as two problem areas. The changes in admission policies and educational standards are examined and their impact upon each other is discussed along with the meaning of standards, adaptive instruction, academic placement and exemption, testing and grading practices, program assessment, etc. (MLW)

Testing can serve an important function in the selective admissions process, but the emphasis should be shifted from measurement to assessment of learning, from people evaluation to program evaluation, and from a concern with aptitude to a concern with accomplishment. Such changes would help testing improve teaching and learning. (Author/JMD)

A survey questionnaire was distributed to admissions officers at 63 undergraduate institutions in the northeastern U.S. and Ohio to assess the range of practices and points of view concerning the effect of advanced placement course work and examination scores on the admission process at these institutions. Results suggest considerable variance in…

A study investigated effectiveness of a University of Southern Queensland (Australia) program to improve access to higher education for disadvantaged groups. Results suggest that, although the program improves access, it has inherent inequities, does not provide adequate student support, and does not consider student readiness for the demands of…