The SAT I: Reasoning Test actually predicts how well females will do in college better than it predicts for males. Results from validity studies that have been conducted with hundreds of colleges and universities and examined by ETS and external researchers consistently confirm that the SAT correlation with both freshman GPA and individual course…

The abbreviated (less-than-two-year) advanced-standing program in social work education was evaluated based on studies indicating that holders of bachelors' degrees in social work perform better than others in graduate social work programs. Admissions office record data allowed proper assessment of undergraduate grade inflation and graduate record…

Analyzes data from three surveys administered by Johnson County Community College in six participating public school districts concerning the career and educational interests of high school students. Suggests that many students who expect to attend college are not taking college preparatory courses and are adversely affected by high school grade…

The validity of grades in higher education as a measure of what a student has actually learned has been a concern to both the public and academicians for over three decades. This was one of several issues discussed in a report by the National Institute of Education Study Group on Conditions of Excellence in American Higher Education. Furthermore,…

Professors at a large, northwest, state-supported university selected communication between instructor and student as the most important function of grades. Second in importance was the predictive function of grades, i.e., providing the student and others with information for making educational and vocational decisions. Third in importance was the…

The findings and conclusions of an inquiry into the use and value of college academic records as a primary basis for predicting later occupational success are summarized. The inquiry revealed a wide variation in the meaning of grades from school to school. The quality of students accepted by different colleges varies widely. This variation is…

The findings and impressions of a study conducted by a journalist examining college life in the 1970's are presented. The Ivy League campuses, plus those of Michigan, California, Stanford, and the University of Chicago were involved in the study. Case histories and more than 650 interviews with students, teachers, administrators, and parents led…

Focusing on current grading practices, this report details a survey of 443 respondents from both four- and two-year institutions of higher education. The data are compared with a 1973-74 survey of the same institutions. Findings show that in general more stringent policies are enforced in the use of nontraditional grading practices, in making-up…

This 34th annual report of national normative data on college freshmen is part of the Cooperative Institutional Research Program's (CIRP) longitudinal study to assess the effects of college on students. Data for this study is based on 261,217 entering students at 462 U.S. two- and four-year colleges and universities, and is statistically adjusted…

The author comments on personal encounters with the educational deficiencies of secondary and higher education. However, he senses a change of direction, e.g., higher standards are being established for a high school diploma, colleges are again requiring students to take certain courses. Next area ripe for change is graduate education. (RM)

We present results for a decade-long assessment program for an introductory course for non-science majors. This study focuses on student evaluation data and student-supplied information about sex, race, age, academic background, student study time, study habits, and course grade. The results reveal a statistically significant positive relationship…

Higher education relies on student ratings to evaluate faculty teaching, partly because the alternatives (expert peer appraisals or objective performance criteria) are costly or unavailable. Because student ratings are crucial not only to improving instruction, but also in making or breaking faculty careers, it is important to assure that they…

The grading system at the University of North Carolina at Asheville before fall 1978 provided four designations: H (honors); G (good or well above average); P (pass or satisfactory); and F (failure). This range does not provide a grade for unsatisfactory but passing work. It was suspected that this led teachers to give "average" grades…

Discusses possible causes of grade inflation and standards deregulation. Offers examples of proficiency-based assessments. (six references) (LMI)

This article is intended as both a cautionary tale and an encouraging guide for instructors who are beginning to teach in accelerated programs designed to attract nontraditional students. This article is based, in part, on classroom action research conducted through surveys, observations, exams, and assessments, in an introductory business law…