A model of the influences on teacher practice and student learning is formulated and illustrated by analyzing the practice of 12 high school history teachers in 6 schools. Since the data base contains both observations of 228 lessons, as well as extensive interviews with teachers and department chairs, it is possible to assess the opportunity for…

In 1990, Miami University of Ohio became the first institution of higher education in the nation to award entering students credit and advanced placement in college composition on the basis of a collection of their best high school writing samples. The student's writing portfolio package consists of four pieces: a reflective letter introducing the…

In 1990, the National Center for Academic Achievement and Transfer awarded partnership grants to 13 pairs of two- and four-year institutions to strengthen transfer education through attention to academic practices. The grant program was open to institutions located in the 50 largest cities in the United States. To be eligible, two-year schools…

To date, community colleges have used two major approaches to manage transfer and assist students with a successful transfer experience: a "student service" approach, concentrating on counseling, advising, catalog information exchange, and other student affairs functions; and a "document" model, relying on articulation agreements, course…

Determining "what percentage of community college students transfer" requires clarification of such questions as which students should be included in the calculation, how many hours should the student earn at the community college before transferring, and how long should the students be followed. At Prince George's Community College, transfer…

In 1990, a survey was conducted of alumni of the regional campuses (RC's) of Kent State University who received an associate degree in 1987, 1988, or 1989. Surveys were mailed to all 1,189 alumni, requesting information on their demographic characteristics, goals, education and employment experience, and satisfaction with the programs and services…

In Maryland, Catonsville Community College's (CCC) 1990-91 marketing plan deals with the community's perceptions of the institution and strategies to improve CCC's image. Both the 1989-90 and 1990-91 plans targeted the same markets for special recruitment strategies; i.e., high school graduates with transfer plans, part-time adult students,…

In a survey of 1,500 administrators, most of the 400 respondents agreed by an 8 to 1 margin that reforms to raise academic standards in public schools are necessary. In high schools, a decline in reading, vocabulary, and math skills is due basically to a decreased academic emphasis. Solutions include more required courses, more opportunities for…

Results of a study of trends in college-going decisions of new high school graduates between 1972 and 1980 are presented, along with a model of college choice. The focus is the choice between college and noncollege options. Based on a review of empirical and theoretical work on college choice over the past 25 years, information is provided on key…

This paper examines major transfer education issues and proposes a comprehensive strategy for examining and improving transfer education. The first section explores ten major issues: (1) access to higher education for minorities and low socioeconomic status (SES) whites continues to be a problem; (2) over 50% of all entering community college…

Descriptive and evaluative information is provided on Florida Junior College at Jacksonville's College Reach-Out Program, which targeted junior high and high school students in an effort to increase black student enrollments at the college. Introductory sections discuss the need for the program in light of the decline in the number and percent of…

This report contains the testimony of administrators, faculty, representatives of different sectors of higher education in California, and other interested individuals as presented to the Ad Hoc Committee on Community College Transfer of the California Postsecondary Education Commission. First, prefatory material provides information on the…

The Joint Entrance Examination of Universities and Colleges (JEE), the college entrance examination in the Republic of China, is discussed. It is suggested that the competitive selective process for college and university admission has survived for many centuries because it has served certain social functions. The system has been perceived and has…

This study investigates factors contributing to dropping out and returning to school among urban high school students. The analysis is a preliminary attempt to determine whether state or local responses are more viable in preventing high-risk students from leaving school early, and the extent to which school practices and policies may influence…

Advice is provided to parents about how to help their teenagers through the college application admissions process. Parents learn how much to get involved, where to go for the right information, what kind of questions to ask, how to get financial aid, and what timetable to use for every stage in the process of going to college. Fifteen sections…