The education gap that exists between white and minority students in the United States is a byproduct of both economic disparity and inequity. Lack of resources and fewer qualified teachers are just two factors that contribute to the problem. Currently, only about 70 percent of all American high school students graduate in the expected four years,…

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) "Saving Futures, Saving Dollars": Five Percent Increase in Male Graduation Rate Could Lead to Savings of $8…

This brief summarizes a Community College Research Center (CCRC) study on the extent to which community college students' educational goals and reasons for enrolling influence their outcomes. Based on the findings, the brief presents suggestions for how colleges should approach student goals and aspirations in seeking to improve student success.…

We study a set of programs implemented in Philadelphia high schools that focus on boosting high school graduation, and especially college attendance, using data from the Philadelphia Educational Longitudinal Study (PELS). We examine the effects of these programs on a set of schooling-related outcomes during and after high school. The PELS data-set…

This qualitative investigation examines factors and processes associated with high school graduation in a high-risk urban context. Participants include 11 graduating seniors with learning disabilities, all of whom are African American from low-income backgrounds. These youth are interviewed on multiple occasions to determine how protective factors…

This anthology contains 20 commencement addresses delivered by prominent and successful Americans from many different fields of endeavor--all the addresses have in common an understanding of the audience's thoughts and feelings at the important moment of a college graduation. Each speech in the anthology is preceded by a brief biography of the…

The report presents information on academic performance and other issues related to student athletes. It was written to aid the chairman of the Committee on Labor and Human Relations in preparation for a hearing on Senate Bill 580, the Student Athlete Right-to-Know Act. Specifically, the document examines: (1) the reporting burden the proposed…

Discriminant function analysis was used to predict which college students were graduated in four years, were still enrolled after four years, left the college in good academic standing, or left after being on probation. Results were moderately successful. (Author/JKS)

Students who start in two-year colleges are less likely to finish college than students who start in four-year colleges. However, other variables, such as religious background, educational aspirations, academic performance in college, participation in a work-study program, and living on campus, exert substantial positive effects on finishing.…

The use of colors in tassels and hood trimmings to signify the subject areas of degrees is discussed, and variations in this practice are described. Whether the color of the hood trimming should indicate the major subject studied or the subject area incorporated in the title of the degree is debated. (MLW)

One of the central themes in the standards-based education movement continues to be the importance of clear and detailed system accountability data showing how students from special needs groups perform on statewide accountability assessments (Albus, Thurlow & Liu, 2002; National Research Council, 1997; Thurlow & Liu, 2001). Armed with such data,…

This report presents the number and percentage of students dropping out of and completing public school for the 2000-2001 school year. Information came from the Common Core of Data (CCD) surveys, which provide basic data on public K-12 institutions, students, and staff. A total of 45 states reported dropouts using the CCD definition. The 9th-12th…

High numbers of high school students are leaving New York City public schools without graduating. Some school officials are encouraging students to leave regular high school programs, despite their being of school age and have the right to receive appropriate literacy, support, and educational services through the public school system. This report…

Australian researchers examined why, despite government efforts to provide an environment where all people could access education, training, and work, there has been little change in school retention and completion rates in recent years. Three studies included "Young Persons' Education, Training and Employment Outcomes with Special Reference…

Australian researchers investigated the education training outcomes of young people (age 15-19 years), focusing on early school leavers. Data came from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the National Center for Vocational and Educational Research. About one-third of the 270,000 students who leave school each year leave before 12th grade. The…