Evaluates the measurement equivalence of an English-language version of the Trier Personality Inventory, using statistical methods based on item response theory to identify items displaying differential item functioning (DIF). Results with 295 U.S. and 213 West German undergraduates and 203 U.S. college students indicate significant agreement in…

Proposes a two-year college general education model for at-risk students, utilizing six categories of study developed by Boyer and Levine: use of symbols for communication; shared membership in groups and institutions; interdependence of production and consumption; humans' relationship with nature; use of time; and shared beliefs and values. (PAA)

Explores the relationship between education and female sex roles through both the theoretical literature about the reproduction of domesticity in the education system and through a study of mature university women students' attitudes to the role of education in their educational and occupational aspirations and opportunities. (JB)

Community colleges need to adopt a broad conceptual definition of a continuing student in the design and evaluation of their retention strategies, recognizing nondegree goals as legitimate educational achievements and intermittent but persistent attendance as a valid method of pursuing educational goals. (MSE)

A national survey examined opinions of college faculty (n=35,478) on a broad range of issues, including teaching, values, political orientation, and quality of professors' personal lives. Respondents feel a conflict between teaching and research roles, believe their students are badly prepared academically, and think their campuses place a high…

In a survey of urban university students, ways of financing college (working, part-time attendance, residence with parents, and financial aid) were related to background variables (parent education, race/ethnicity, and high school grades) and to outcome variables. Among findings were that significant sex differences existed in effects of residence…

Experience with student outcomes assessment in the Florida state university system suggests that precollegiate interventions, including raising admission and retention standards, can improve minority success in college. The more demanding policies have focused on the skill levels needed for academic success and on the need for college-preparatory…

A multimethod study of the service ethic among over 400 candidates for secondary education certificates shows service aims to be potent factors in attracting traditional college-age students to teaching. Interview data suggest that students interpret the service ethic chiefly in terms of promoting student academic and personal interest. (SLD)

Findings from 2 studies with 179 male and 158 female Israeli early adolescents and 97 male and 183 female Israeli university students show that male self-esteem is predicted significantly by masculine self-image (SI), female self-esteem is predicted by nonstereotyped SI, and feminine SI significantly predicts the self-esteem of neither gender.…

Describes various studies and projects on computer-mediated communication for enhancing second language learning and culture education, examining their impact on participating elementary, secondary, and college students. Results indicate that e-mail and teleconferencing provide authentic communication and foster awareness of languages and…

The University of Michigan's Detroit Community Outreach Partnership Center fields student-faculty teams who work on community-development projects with community organizations. Projects are designed to enrich students' experiential learning and build communities' organizational capacity. The relationship has exposed a culture clash between…

In this study, native speakers assessed 30 students' gain in Spanish skills over a seven-week period of study in Mexico. Results indicate that 22 improved significantly in some aspect of Spanish. Students, especially beginners, who reported more informal interactive contact showed greater gain; beginning and advanced students reporting more…

Whatever forms they take, colleges of the 21st century must incorporate the educational fundamentals that underlie traditional residential institutions. Key ingredients of these educationally powerful environments include clear purposes, maximization of human interaction, pedagogies for active learning, recognition of individual differences,…

In an interview, former Georgetown University (District of Columbia) basketball coach John Thompson offers comments on the debate over the use of standardized test scores to determine college athlete eligibility, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and its regulations, academic standards and graduation for college athletes, and the nature…

Creating an equitable school environment is easier in theory than in practice. This article provides background information to help educators understand the importance of gender issues and offers concrete teaching strategies (in the areas of assessment, curriculum, school climate, and instructional supervision) to minimize gender bias. (17…