When you think of someone who is an engineer, do you imagine a man or a woman wearing a hardhat? How about when you imagine a teacher standing in front of a class of schoolchildren? If you answer "a man" to the first question, and "a woman" to the second, there's probably a reason. And the reason is simply that more men than…

This report explores the factors and conditions that could help more students succeed at school despite challenging socio-economic backgrounds. It does this by studying resilient students and what sets them apart from their less successful peers. Understanding how educational systems can support disadvantaged students and help them "beat the…

In recent years the graduation requirements in mathematics and science have increased in response to state and national goals calling for increased competency by U.S. graduates in those areas. Data on course enrollment in science, mathematics, and computer science in grades 7-12 were collected from 89 percent of the schools in Colorado in October,…

This report examines the effects of both student and school characteristics on mathematics and science achievement levels in the third, seventh, and eleventh grades using data from the 1985-86 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Analyses feature hierarchical linear models (HLM), a regression-like statistical technique that…

This report presents conclusions and recommendations of a study of possible criteria to define educationally underserved populations in Texas in light of the 1994 Court decision (Hopwood v. Texas) ending the use of racial quotas. The study identified qualitative variables related to social and cultural factors and 10 quantitative criteria (such as…