In educational research, characteristics of the learning environment (e.g., social climate, instructional quality, goal orientation) are often assessed via student reports, and their associations with outcome variables such as school achievement or student motivation then tested. However, studying the effects of the learning environment presents a…

Which factors promote student transfer from California Community Colleges (CCC) to baccalaureate-granting institutions? How do community college practices support this transition? Which student behaviors and characteristics particularly facilitate their movement to four-year colleges and universities? The Research and Planning Group for California…

When studying different types of returns to education, educational reforms are commonly used in the economics literature as a source of exogenous variation in education. The Swedish compulsory school reform is one example; the reform extended compulsory education throughout the country, in different municipalities at different points in time. Such…

In 1982-83 the Jefferson County Public Schools (Kentucky) (JCPS) implemented a pilot effective schools project for 10 elementary buildings, based on the inservice program, "Creating Effective Schools," by Brookover and others (1982). This paper provides an overview of the origin of the program in JCPS, how the program was conducted, and…

Examines the effects of opportunity-structure variables on the rate of labor market participation among 4,688 subjects from early adolescence to young adulthood. Discusses the effect of the following: (1) attitudes; (2) education; (3) drug use; (4) sex and race; and (5) early sanctions and failures. (FMW)

Considers curriculum evaluation studies in which perceived classroom environment characteristics were included among criteria of curricular effectiveness. Also reports several investigations in differences between students and teachers in their perceptions of actual and preferred classroom environments and draws together a diverse set of studies…

This bibliography provides annotations of 33 major research studies on the school and social factors that impede disadvantaged children's ability to learn and succeed in school. The studies demonstrate that a wide range of educational, familial, and social influences can either put children at risk of educational failure early in their lives or…

Two approaches for conceptualizing and estimating a contextual model for analyzing student achievement are the separate equation approach and the single equation approach. The separate equation method determines the relationship between the individual-level independent variable and the individual-level dependent variable within each group. It then…

Major findings and prediction models resulting from longitudinal research are presented. Discussed are the study design; variables, trends, and profiles; a follow-up study; and implications and policy recommendations. A summary model designed to explain this phenomenon is given. (CW)

This study tested an integrative longitudinal model of the early schooling process on three first-grade outcomes for 1,539 poor urban ethnic minority children (1,470 Black; 69 Hispanic). The model views educational attainment as a function of readiness characteristics upon entry into kindergarten and intervening kindergarten and first-grade…

This study examined factors that affect student learning and growth in four student populations: seniors who began as freshmen immediately after high school, students who transferred from two-year colleges, students who transferred from four-year colleges, and students who entered Bachelor of Arts programs after military service or work. The data…

Reviews research and development in media and computer based classroom simulations, emphasizing feasibility and reliability, presentation modes, and benefits. Areas of further study are highlighted, including transfer of training, degree of realism necessary, and correlation with instructional theories; specific variables for study are also…

A study examined screening measures that are used to predict whether a student will teach after graduation from an agricultural education program. The population for the study consisted of 72 student teachers studying in the Department of Agricultural Education at the University of South Florida from 1977 to 1982. Before starting student teaching,…

A sample of 42 post-secondary, educational re-entry women completed questionnaires focusing on background status, role dynamics, and satisfaction with their re-entry experience. Results showed no differences between students in a vocational program and those in a traditional, academic program. Role-dynamic variables--but not background-status…