This report examines progress on key education indicators of black children and adults, utilizing statistics published by the National Center for Education Statistics in various reports and from other federal agencies. It shows that more black students have completed high school and gone on to college, levels of parental education have increased,…

At the end of every school year, each high school in the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) and the Domestic Dependents Elementary and Secondary Schools (DDESS) is asked to complete a record indicating senior students' plans after graduation. This summary report provides a look at the aggregate numbers collected from these high…

The Federal student aid program is the first instance in American history in which the National Government has assisted needy youth to work their way through college. Inaugurated by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (F.E.R.A.) the plan provides financial aid to qualified young men and women who lack sufficient funds to attend college.…

A national survey of higher education stakeholders, including college-bound students, parents, executives, human resource managers, and recent graduates, found agreement that problem solving, critical thinking, and writing/oral skills can be defined as career skills and are the most important goals of higher education. However, many don't…

This collection of articles on blacks in higher education includes such topics as: college endowments; black studies as a major; why affirmative action does little harm to white students; why blacks are more likely than whites to drop out of college; and how a college education acts as a defense for blacks in an economic downturn. (SM)

Defines group processing as review of group dynamics identifying productive behaviors. Reports findings of a study examining how group processing influenced cooperative efforts and individual achievement. Uses results from map skill and problem-solving tests given to 49 Black high school seniors who were college bound. Finds that processing…

Describes the development of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) tests which predict student success in mathematics on the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) and readiness for college mathematics. Institutions wishing to expand ethnic diversity in teacher education must help minority students prepare for tests like the TASP. (SM)

Summarizes a study evaluating California's first digital magnet school, designed to emulate a Silicon-Valley high-tech start-up company. A survey of 159 junior and seniors revealed positive perceptions of the school's program and business atmosphere and very high expectations for achieving college and career success. (Contains 44 references.) (MLH)

As a consequence of the Civil Rights Movement and related social movements, the past 30 years have witnessed an unprecedented rise in higher education enrollments among ethnic minority groups, women, and low-income students, as well as increases in the financial aid available to these groups. However, certain ethnic minority populations, such as…

While diversity and commonality are not necessarily contradictory aspirations in relation to contemporary teaching in higher education, they exist potentially in a state of dynamic tension, fostered by market-based and government-induced policies that strive to have the largest and widest possible client- or customer-base, while reducing costs by…

In response to findings in a 1994 accountability report, and specifically data related to student retention, colleges in the Illinois Community College System were asked to report on local initiatives to track and improve retention. In describing their retention initiatives, 30 colleges specifically mentioned assessment and placement activities,…

Many liberal arts colleges have moved away from the central aim of liberal arts learning--person formation for a qualitatively rich life--while still maintaining the liberal arts title. Of America's 3,400 colleges and universities, there are only 212 (6%) genuine liberal arts colleges today who do not award over 60% of their total number of annual…

This paper presents the keynote speech from a symposium on finance and management in higher education. Following introductions, the speaker, an executive from the business community who also serves on several university governing boards, asserted that, like businesses, institutions of higher education face a nearly continual need to respond to…

This digest summarizes the role of the dean or department chair in dealing with legal issues in higher education. It considers the types of legal issues which might arise for these administrators (such as contract and tort matters for staff and students), the erosion of the legislative and judicial deference given to academic decision making, and…

This report examines the role of the college dean or department head in relation to legal issues in higher education. The first section offers principles of the law, the courts, and counsel. It addresses types of legal issues, internal and external sources of the law, deference to academic and behavioral decisions, the distinction between public…