Used data from the 1980 High School and Beyond study to examine the educational fortunes of a cohort 6 years after high school graduation. Data show that schools serving more poor students were less likely to "send" students to college and that high school grade point average and parents' education were significant at every stage in the…

Examines the relationship between National College Entrance Examinations and political centralism in China's higher education, presenting a history of this system and describing its purposes, characteristics, influence on K-12 education, strengths and limitations, and future. Recognizes how this system serves the political needs of commoners and…

Compared profiles of students involved in Upward Bound (UB), a program to help disadvantaged students complete high school and prepare for college, and non-UB students on demographics, educational aspirations, financial assistance needs, family income, ACT scores, and courses taken. UB students expressed need for help in key academic areas. Their…

Examined parents' perceptions of the value of one college's Upward Bound program, which helped disadvantaged students prepare for college, noting beliefs about their own and their children's involvement. Parents believed that program participation significantly and positively affected their children's lives, and the program was very valuable.…

Examined the impact of high school participation in Upward Bound on freshman-year grade point average (GPA), dropout rate, mathematics performance, and English performance among African American students. There were no differences between intervention and control group students' freshman GPA and dropout rates. Mathematics performance was…

In 1999, College Horizons brought 50 American Indian high school students from 28 tribes to the Native American Preparatory School in Rowe, New Mexico, for a unique seminar. During the week-long summer seminar, college representatives presented intensive workshops and large-group sessions on the college application process, including essay…

Advice to American Indian students on writing a college application essay focuses on conveying an honest portrayal of significant aspects of their lives. Distinctive stories grounded in Native American experience are likely to catch the interest of the admissions officer. A sample essay and representative essay questions are included. (SV)

This article describes the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program at University of Pennsylvania. It specifically discusses the experience of Charles Crockett, one of its earliest alumni. Crockett says the Leadership Education and Development program helped him to broaden the scope of his educational and career goals by convincing him…

Every month, "Leadership" features articles written in an informal, conversational style that provide practical information for school administrators. This issue of "Leadership" contains the following titles: (1) "A Big High School Made Smaller" (Sharon Levin); (2) "A Wake-Up Call from CSU" (David S.…

Rushing to pass budgets and get out of town before the holidays, Congress passed a deficit reduction bill, making large cuts in three programs, including student loans. While Congress made it harder for students to get higher education, the nation's governors are undertaking an all-out effort to make all high schools college-prep experiences for…

California's 1960 Master Plan for Higher Education promised all students a chance to pursue a baccalaureate degree by guaranteeing a place at one of the public 4-year institutions for all students who successfully fulfill a minimum set of requirements at a community college. However, capacity constraints in the state's public colleges and…

How can K-16 partnerships enlist Latino parents as informed allies in support of their children's college planning? This article draws on data from 3 years of participant observation to show how a bilingual outreach program for parents at a diverse high school narrowed the information gap about college, enhanced family social networks, and…

In 1997, the Center for Individuals' Rights filed two lawsuits against the University of Michigan on behalf of two White plaintiffs who believed they were denied admission due to racial preferences. The diversity rationale, Michigan's counter-argument, underscored the links between racial diversity and institutional mission but rejected social…

This article discusses how career and technical education is helping students draw up plans for success in architectural technology. According to the College of DuPage (COD) in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, one of the two-year schools offering training in architectural technology, graduates have a number of opportunities available to them. They may work…

Financial assistance for individuals attending college has existed in this country almost as long as higher education itself. Institutions awarded many of the earliest scholarships based on students' academic merit, with consideration often given to financial need. This practice was carried into the twentieth century, largely by private elite…