Much research has investigated maternal and child predictors of educational attainment. This longitudinal study builds on past research by examining how everyday mother-child conversations about decision-making in early adolescence predict adolescents' decisions to drop out of high school, terminate their education with a high school degree, or…

This article uses four data sets to assess changes in the relative weights of test- and performance-based merit criteria on college enrollment during the 1980s and 1990s and considers their significance for affirmative action. Our results support the "shifting meritocracy" hypothesis, revealed by selective postsecondary institutions'…

In response to public demands for better-quality high school graduates and to requirements of No Child Left Behind legislation, states have developed a variety of policies such as high-stakes exit exams and diploma options. Additionally, under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997, students with disabilities must be…

Limited classroom time available in middle school mathematics classes forces teachers to choose between assisting students' development and assessing students' abilities. To help teachers make better use of their time, we are integrating assistance and assessment by utilizing a web-based system, ASSISTment, that will offer instruction to students…

A common way to control curriculum at the state level has been to implement changes in high school graduation requirements. This paper documents the variation in responses across five diverse high schools in Maryland, as the schools implemented new high school graduation requirements mandated by the State Board of Education. In 1985, the board…

This study examined the retention, attrition, and graduation rates of 7,170 freshmen entering the Oregon State System of Higher Education during the 1986-1987 academic year. For the state system overall, 51.1 percent of freshmen received a bachelor's degree. On a school level, the matriculation rate varied from 62.9 percent at Oregon State…

This report provides data on graduation rates of student-athletes at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I schools. Institution-specific reports for each of the 305 colleges and universities that returned surveys include graduation rates for all students enrolled in a full-time program for a degree and of student-athletes who…

More than a decade ago, states in the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) region began raising high school graduation standards to ensure that all students would take the classes they need. Despite improvements, results have not met expectations. Today many more students in the SREB states are taking courses that appear to be more…

The Arabic language examination was designed for Jewish immigrants from Syria wishing to satisfy New York State language requirements for high school graduation by indicating their proficiency in Arabic. The test is essentially a translation of a state test of Hebrew, and is intended to test Arabic at the third-year high school level. The…

This booklet presents the social studies test required for graduation in Alberta, Canada. The grade 12 diploma examination consists of multiple-choice questions (70 percent of the total mark) and written response questions (30 percent). Time for the examination is expected to be two-and-one-half hours with an additional one-half hour given to…

This booklet presents the social studies test required for graduation in Alberta, Canada. The grade 12 diploma examination consists of multiple-choice questions (70 percent of the total mark) and written response questions (30 percent). Time for the examination is expected to be two-and-one-half hours with an additional one-half hour given to…

This paper explores common concerns about competency testing as they relate to the certification of high school graduates seeking a diploma in the United States. Competency testing is widespread in the United States, with 40 states engaged in competency testing in at least one grade. In general, and particularly for graduation requirements, the…

Issues in requiring community service for high school graduation are addressed in this document. The debate is not whether community service is valuable, but whether making it mandatory lessens its positive effects. Proponents of mandating student volunteerism argue that it provides a valuable learning experience; gets all students involved;…

A study was made of the impact of Chapter 5 and 6 Regulations and Chapter 339 Standards, which increase graduation requirements, on vocational education in Pennsylvania. The target group for the 1987 follow-up mail survey was the vocational director or administrator in each of the 73 area vocational-technical schools (AVTSs) and 60 randomly…

The changing economic and social situation, the rapid expansion of technology, and the explosion of available knowledge are fundamentally altering the world economy. Today, our nation's students need not only basic skills, but higher level reasoning and communication and thinking ability, as well. In Connecticut, a committee was formed to…