This brief takes a broad look at low-income young adults in an effort to contribute to the national discussion on improving degree completion by increasing participation among all disadvantaged populations--especially those who attempt to succeed in postsecondary settings under financial stress. Understanding the linkages between low-income young…

U.S. social programs, set up to address important problems, often fall short by funding specific models/strategies ("interventions") that are not effective. When evaluated in scientifically-rigorous studies, social interventions in K-12 education, job training, crime prevention, and other areas are frequently found ineffective or…

Many education reporters are drawn to the beat because of its complexity and rich variety. Few topics provide such a wealth of political, business, human interest, breaking news, feature, and investigative stories. A reporter's day can start in a classroom with 4-year-olds struggling to learn to read, and end at a school board meeting with…

In the Salinas Union High School District, California, diplomas are presented to qualified students at the end of either the fall or the spring semester. Graduation requirements specify courses, number of semesters, proficiency (or remedial in lieu of substitution), and number of cumulative units. Therefore, at mid-year two bodies of seniors are…

A random sample of 500 Ocean County College students were surveyed by means of a mailed questionnaire to ascertain their opinions on whether the College should have a mandatory or voluntary commencement attendance policy. In addition, all New Jersey county colleges were surveyed to determine the prevailing practice with regard to institutional…

Achievement testing is the centerpiece of the state accountability systems mandated by the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Accordingly, the public attention directed towards achievement scores has largely eclipsed the crucial role that graduation rates play in NCLB accountability, at least until recently. As a new body of research on…

This study uses a widely respected method to calculate public high school graduation rates for the nation, for each state, and for the 100 largest school districts in the United States. Graduation rates are calculated overall, by race, and by gender, using the most recent available data (the class of 2003). While this report builds upon a…

Thirty-three universities were surveyed by the University of Arizona to see who was responsible for the process of evaluating students' remaining degree requirements, how much of this process was automated or computerized, and who in each institution responds to the Higher Education General Information Survey. Results are presented. (MSE)

Whether the dropout rate is a good measure of a quality education is debatable. One could probably make a case that a high dropout rate is just as credible an indicator of a quality education program as a low dropout rate. As with any high-stakes measure of performance, those being evaluated scramble, sometimes frantically, for strategies that…

This study's primary purpose was to examine whether or not there were differences in the roles community college boards of trustees and presidents said they currently perform and those they said they should perform. In addition, the study sought to determine whether or not the relationship between trustees and the president impacted the…

The authors first examine the effect of failing the 10th grade mathematics examination. They then investigate students who fail their 10th grade test, examining their persistence and success on retests. Finally, they examine the effects of student performance on the 8th grade mathematics test. In all cases, the authors pay particular attention to…

Suggests that one of the biggest high school newspaper stories of the year is senior graduation and that it deserves better and more thorough coverage. (RB)

Discusses commencement ceremonies and the need to provide meaningful messages to graduates rather than a bland, congratulatory speech. (MD)