This qualitative evaluation of Emory's Oxford Summer Experience Program examined rural students' college aspirations. Educational and economic barriers hinder rural students' college enrollment and degree attainment (Adelman, 2002; Byun, Meece, & Irvin, 2012; Means, Clayton, Conzelmann, Baynes, & Umbach, 2016). Because of these barriers,…

Research evidence suggests that summer breaks contribute to income-based achievement and opportunity gaps for children and youth. However, summertime can also be used to provide programs that support an array of goals for children and youth, including improved academic achievement, physical health, mental health, social and emotional well-being,…

A study investigated the long-term impact of acceleration on academically talented youth. Twenty-three females and 20 males completed questionnaires about the California State University at Sacramento (CSUS) Academic Talent Search Program they had attended 4 years previously as junior high students. Students reported on the experiences, academic…

The self-concepts of 508 gifted students in grades 5-10 who participated in 3 summer residential programs were examined. Self-concept scores across all grade levels and programs were significantly higher at the end of the programs, compared to the beginning. In one program the scores of sixth-grade boys declined somewhat. (Author/JDD)

To help engineering schools improve their minority student retention rates, the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) undertook a Retention Research Program. The program consisted of two parts. First, NACME funded 11 projects which planned to add to or modify one or more minority student support services. Second, NACME used…

California State University's Summer Bridge program, a preenrollment course for underprepared freshmen that focuses on improving basic skills and familiarizing students with the university environment, has been successful in increasing first- and second-year retention rates for its first three student cohorts. (Author/MSE)

During the 1983-1984 school year, 14 local migrant education projects conducted by Colorado school districts and Boards of Cooperative Services (BOCES) provided educational services to 1,151 migrant students, with 51% formerly migrant and 49% currently migrants. The number of eligible migrant children registered in school increased by 4%; the…

Washington's program for migrant education during 1982-83 identified 18,142 children as eligible for program services and enrolled on the Migrant Student Record Transfer Systems (MSRTS). Of this number 15,038 students were enrolled in regular school programs, 520 in the Secondary Credit Exchange (SCE), and 2,584 in the Early Childhood program.…

This paper describes a summer program teaching independent living skills to 20 adults with visual impairments. Results suggest the program had a lasting and profound impact on clients' previously low knowledge of job hunting, decision making, stress management, and self-care skills. Interaction with other adults with visual impairments and…

This report provides information about the use of extended time strategies by local Chapter 1 programs and offers practical guidance for district and school staff who are considering adoption of the strategies. The report focuses on five basic strategies for extending instructional time for Chapter 1 students: (1) extended day kindergarten; (2)…

The Ventures in Education program, begun 10 years ago, includes honors-level curriculum, advanced placement courses, summer workshops, enrichment, a longer school day, and continued counseling and guidance. It has demonstrated that poor, disadvantaged high school students can learn to excel in demanding courses of study. (MSE)

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Scholars Program is an honors curriculum for outstanding students. Based on the rationale that overseas language study in an appropriate cultural setting can be an exciting and efficient way to acquire cultural understanding and language proficiency in general, and oral fluency in particular, the new…

A study of a summer bridge program's effects on low-income and minority groups students during their first year at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that such programs can facilitate transition and adjustment to university or college life and improve academic performance and persistence rates. (Author/MSE)

The Summer Language Houses (SLH) in French, German, and Spanish at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have been extremely effective in teaching language skills and encouraging students to continue language study. The five-week intensive language programs at the second-year level emphasize oral communication but provide practice in all language…

The study sought to determine the effects of a summer bridge program on the academic, personal, and social development of underrepresented and low-income students during their first year at the University of California, Los Angeles. The 1988 cohort of students enrolled in the Freshman Summer Program/Transfer Summer Program (FSP/TSP) were tracked…