Ways to eliminate sexism (discrimination based on sex) in Oregon State University classrooms are suggested, with attention to language, behavior, and expectations. Social outcomes of sexism are also identified. Unequal treatment singles out or ignores the individual. As a result, students may lose confidence, lower academic goals, or limit their…

This paper maintains that learning for the purpose of understanding is central to classes that are oriented towards learning. Such classes, which can be said to have a "learning orientation," can be differentiated from classes where an emphasis on performance or doing work increases the likelihood of rote or short-term learning. Four…

Living independently before marriage is part of a broader pattern of family and demographic change characterizing modern societies since World War II. This study examined expectations about premarital residential independence among young adults. Data were obtained from 28,240 high school seniors who participated in the High School and Beyond study…

There is an urgent need for the development of learning environments that are especially suited to disadvantaged minority youth. Much of that which needs altering is the climate or atmosphere within existing schools. Determining the nature of this learning environment is a continuing problem in educational research. This document reports a study…

This paper presents an overview of the research and literature on teacher expectations, particularly that from the last ten years. This includes research on race, gender, and socioeconomic status. Also included are studies on non-verbal behaviors and grouping children according to perceived ability. It is pointed out that pupils respond to…

The first part of the paper describes research addressing whether there is a match between vocational preparation and employer expectations for individuals having disabilities, with emphasis on research performed in Alberta, Canada. Research goals include the identification of generic and/or specific skills and behaviors for vocational training of…

A survey on parents' attitudes about school effectiveness in the early childhood and elementary programs was conducted in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, City School District. All students in grades K4 through 5 were given surveys to take home; 3,328 surveys were returned. The survey measured parental attitudes toward six dimensions of school…

Despite tremendous strides in educational and professional development, the black professional woman who seeks psychotherapy is often entrapped by a world view based on a very dissonant set of expectations. This world view is based on the belief that possibilities for acceptance on the basis of one's professional characteristics surpass…

A discrepancy exists between teacher self-appraisal and reports of students and outside observers. Based on role theory this study explored some social correlates of teacher reports of classroom behavior. Data were collected from two sessions (88 teachers) at a staff development center. Teachers reported: (1) occurrence frequencies of nine…

Based on the National Longitudinal Surveys of Young Women aged fourteen to twenty-four in 1968, a study was made to determine the impact that women's ex ante labor market expectations have on their salary and development and to examine the effect of women's postschool training and maturation (human capital accumulation) on wages. Six findings…

Subjects in the study were 29 black and 73 white introductory psychology students, 90% of whom identified themselves as prospective teachers. As part of their classroom work, these students were randomly assigned to read an essay on urban life. Attached to the essay was one of two cover letters describing the theme's writer. These cover letters…

Student self-expectations are believed to exert a powerful influence on performance. Student perceptions and social comparisons during transfer students' (N=1362) first semester in a large state university were examined to determine variables that might be related to the formation of student performance expectations. Subjects completed…

To better understand the effects of the family on the reading achievement of black children, a study examined the relative influence of specific maternal variables and the family socioeconomic status (SES) on reading achievement. A total of 31 mother-child dyads were selected from a university reading clinic, with the children aged 7 through 11…

A representative sample of 987 entering freshmen (45 percent male and 55 percent female) at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP), were surveyed regarding their attitudes and demographic characteristics during two-day summer orientation sessions. The typical UMCP freshman was from an upper-middle class home, earned at least a B average…

New students and faculty have expressed a growing interest in academic advising. However, little research has been reported about adult students and the academic advising process. A survey of adult students and faculty members at Metropolitan State University, a nontraditional university, showed that faculty members were sensitive to their role as…