A study of black South African students' perceptions of current high educational failure rates involved a survey of 385 students from 4 Natal Province schools. Self-blame, teacher blame, and lack of facilities and equipment were the top three of nine reasons for student failure. (JB)

A unit designed to cover the topic of genetic engineering and its ethical considerations is presented. Students are expected to learn the material while using a debate format. A list of objectives for the unit, the debate format, and the results from an opinion questionnaire are described. (KR)

Assesses critical thinking teaching models, including skill development, problem-solving, logical thinking, multiaspect, and information processing approaches. Stresses creating open classroom environments where critical thinking that fosters effective, thoughtful decision making can flourish. Argues that teaching can and should be less…

Tested a structural model of mathematics achievement and attitude with a probability sample of 3,116 adolescents from the Longitudinal Study of American Youth. Concluded that prior achievement and home environment influenced subsequent achievement most powerfully and that previous attitude had the most powerful influence on subsequent attitude.…

Discusses the instructional effects of item organization and feedback density on posttest scores when using multiple-choice questions in computer-based instruction, based on two studies: one with third- and fourth-grade students, and one with eighth-grade low ability students classified as at risk. (27 references) (LRW)

Describes the switch taking place in many schools, especially middle schools, from grouping students by ability (tracking) to mixed-ability classrooms (untracking). Discusses components of untracking, student and teacher responses, and tracking as a public policy issue. (SLD)

Analyzes 60 sociology doctoral programs from 1975 through 1980. Measures per capita and gross productivity of each department. Shows that conventional assessment measures contain deficiencies. Documents a tendency for conflict between productivity and graduate education. Includes recommendations for future assessments that would measure not only…

Describes the Minority Affairs Project Outreach Program (MAPOP) of the University of Kansas. MAPOP initially provided services to promote college attendance for high school students in Kansas City but was redesigned to focus on academically capable elementary and junior high students. Interventions enable students to complete secondary school and…

Presents a follow-up study of a cohort of 39 out of 115 African-American high school males who reached an average of 21 years. Results demonstrate some consequences of demographic change on educational outcome. Processes of undereducation of this segment of society are illustrated. (SLD)

The Americans with Disabilities Act affects administration of college student financial aid in areas such as need analysis, determination of satisfactory academic progress, enrollment status, and loan cancellation. Compliance requires an understanding of the definitions of disability, reasonable accommodation, academic progress, and enrollment…

Surveyed 11th graders to examine the relations among mathematics self-efficacy (SE), gender, ethnic identity, and career interests (CI) in mathematics and science. Researchers also examined socioeconomic status (SES) and academic achievement. Science CI was predicted solely by science-mathematics SE. SE was predicted by academic performance and…

This collection of articles examines such topics as: affirmative action at private universities; fixed percentage college admissions plans and racial segregation; merit-based financial aid and opportunities for black college-bound students; the coming shortage of black medical school graduates; campus crime at black colleges; home-schooled black…

Interviews with 103 limited-English-proficient middle school students in California examined student and parent attitudes toward learning English, student use of English with family and friends, homework and study assistance, participation in extracurricular activities, and the influence of frequent absences and years of English instruction on…

Provides evidence that students who participated in the ASSET One-Stop Shopping program demonstrated enhanced academic progress and achievement. Includes suggestions for fostering student success in college. (17 citations) (YKH)

Discusses analysis of student transcripts at Niagara County Community College, which showed a positive correlation between success in basic skills courses and success in regular college courses. (YKH)