This study examined motivational factors responsible for the retention of experienced teachers in Jamaica. Using a stratified sample of Jamaican teachers in training, the study compared the motivations for teaching of 821 novice student teachers with the motivations of 206 student teachers having more than 3 years of teaching experience. Data from…

It is not uncommon for beginning teachers in Queensland (Australia) to be assigned their first teaching placement in a rural area. Many of these teachers stay there for the minimum time that they must, then seek to relocate to a coastal city. The literature and interviews with beginning rural teachers suggest that those who view the experience…

This report describes the methods and procedures used for the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study: 1996-2001 (BPS:1996/2001). These students, who started their postsecondary education during the 1995-96 academic year, were first interviewed in 1996 as part of the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:96). A follow-up…

National longitudinal retention data on 52,898 students at 65 colleges and universities were used to generate formulas for estimating any institution's expected retention rate based on its students' high school grades, admission test scores, and racial and gender composition. Separate formulas were computed for estimating degree completion rates…

A survey of 467 business students at Virginia Commonwealth University investigated results of the business school's tuition differential pricing strategy, which charges a higher tuition in order to provide students with strong computer and technological instruction and support. Results indicated the additional services created added value for…

Based on enrollment figures, it would appear colleges and universities have become more accessible to women, but several research indicators contradict this. A study at York University (Ontario) investigated the interactive effects of gender and social integration measures on accessibility, based on differential participation in extracurricular…

A mentoring program matched 15 Navajo teacher education students with Native American faculty and staff at Northern Arizona University through preassessments that determined mentors' and students' preferred style of mentoring. Mid- and postproject evaluations revealed that specified career and psychosocial needs of students were met and that all…

Freeman Hrabowski III, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, created the Meyerhoff Program to increase the number of African American males earning doctorates, and ultimately to increase minority faculty in engineering, medicine, and the sciences. Program features include mentoring, leadership training, and early intervention…

Questionnaires that were developed to measure factors in the academic persistence of minority college students were administered to 454 Mexican American students at two large southwestern universities. Both the Cultural Congruity Scale and the University Environment Scale were significant predictors of academic persistence of Mexican American…

Application of a grounded theory approach in a study of 18 minority students in professional programs at a research university found 3 strong influences in students' choice of professional field and likelihood in achieving educational goals: family support; ideal of service to community; and determination. Implications for minority recruitment and…

Examines the changing social character of upper secondary schools (noncompulsory education, generally regarded as a stepping stone to university) in England. Previously, upper secondary students tended to be academic high achievers, however, a shrinking job market has created an influx of working class youth. (MJP)

An interview with three top students and an English teacher at a troubled urban high school in Portland (Oregon) yields interesting insights: The best teachers blend strictness with understanding. Learning is more lasting when multiple avenues for absorbing material are provided. A principal's strong leadership is critical to a cohesive school…

Describes the University of California, Berkeley's current undergraduate population, affirmative action and diversity programs, and retention programs targeting minority students, including the Summer Bridge program and Student Learning Center. Identifies factors critical to successful retention: understanding and overcoming student resistance to…

Describes a study that investigated the effect of motivational variables on task persistence and performance in Navy technical training by giving students problems in a self-paced computer simulation game or drill with variable or fixed payoff points. Student responses to an evaluation questionnaire are discussed. (14 references) (LRW)

Effects of mothers' need for approval on children's expectancies for success and persistence during failure were studied for 90 fifth graders attempting to solve 4 puzzles, 3 of which were unsolvable. Parental and situational variables affect children's achievement cognitions and behavior. Implications for parental socialization of achievement are…