National longitudinal retention data on 52,898 students at 65 colleges and universities were used to generate formulas for estimating any institution's expected retention rate based on its students' high school grades, admission test scores, and racial and gender composition. Separate formulas were computed for estimating degree completion rates…

A study investigated the relationship of scores in the Texas Academic Skills Program, a minimum competency test for college-bound students, and performance in freshman and sophomore courses, and uses for that information in setting course prerequisites. Data were drawn from 18 courses at one community college. Results showed existing course…

Assessed differences between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White adolescents' HIV risk behaviors and psychosocial determinants. Surveys indicated that attitude was the strongest predictor of intention and risky behavior for both sexes. There were ethnic differences in sexual experience and condom use for females but not for males. Other predictor…

Current admission criteria for graduate and professional programs are discussed, their validity in predicting graduate student success is examined, and a potentially more effective model for predicting the success of various student groups (women, minorities, older students) is outlined. Innovative admission criteria and procedures are also…

This study examined the relation of parental involvement and empowerment to elementary student test performance. Surveys of parents and data on student achievement and on school and student characteristics indicated that parent involvement consistently correlated with student test performance, even when controlled for school or student…

Reports a study in a Chinese context of second language (L2) learner variables' relationship to English achievement. Findings reveal that six variables had direct effects on achievement, three of which existed previously, i.e., sex, and primary language and L2 proficiency; and three that were formed by clusters of strategies relating to vocabulary…

Examined toddlers' self-regulated compliance to mothers, fathers, and caregivers. Found child emotion regulation and adult warm control in discipline situation related to self-regulated compliance to mother, caregiver, and father. Compliance to parents correlated with parental sensitivity and philosophies. Compliance to caregivers correlated with…

This commentary on Enrique Gracia's (2003) article, "Social Isolation from Communities and Child Maltreatment: A Cross-Cultural Perspective," discusses the relationship of neighborhood context to child maltreatment. The difficulty of sorting out individual and contextual factors is emphasized, along with the problem of clearly defining the unit of…

Demographic changes in college graduates who received teaching certificates between 1975 and 1985 are assessed. The effects of demographic characteristics, subject specialties, and scores on National Teacher Examinations on certificants becoming teachers in North Carolina are examined. Results highlight the need for more Black college students to…

Describes study that examined the effects of embedded questions and review frames on learning from computer-based instruction as well as the effect of perceived need for training on performance. Experimental and control group treatments for management training are explained, hypotheses tested are presented, and results are analyzed. (24…

Describes study that determined differences between Masters of Business Administration (MBA) students and Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) students through the use of a computerized management simulation. Performance, behavioral, and attitudinal measures are described, hypotheses tested are outlined, variables are explained, and results…

Describes a study conducted at the University of Groningen (Netherlands) that investigated the effectiveness of a computer-based training program for use with an automated system for retrieving legal information. Hypotheses tested are explained, computer-based versus traditional instructional methods are compared, and implications for further…

Describes study conducted with undergraduates in India to investigate the selection of suitable learning strategies in science instruction. Highlights include six independent and seven group learning strategies; components of students' learning potential; the influence of different components of learning potential on three achievement levels; and…

Examines the predictive value of several variables on the grade point averages (GPA) for 337 Mexican American and 153 Puerto Rican urban ninth-grade students. Gender and immigration status significantly predicted GPA. English proficiency was significantly different for the two groups, and a greater number of English-proficient Mexican Americans…

Reports a study that investigated the effects of professional coursework and clinical experience on the development of preservice teachers' knowledge. Surveys supported the contribution of professional coursework to the development of pedagogical knowledge but showed limited support for the contribution of student teaching. (SM)