Interviews 20 vocational high school students about school and family histories, present school experiences, and reflections about their literacy histories. Discusses three themes that emerged: connections and disconnections between home and school literacy practices (and resulting frustrations and failures); difficulties meeting standards set by…

A youngster failing to thrive in one environment needs an alternative learning situation. Research shows that small, personalized schools offering authentic, engaging curricula are essential for reaching unsuccessful learners. The test-score craze can be contained by publicizing other numbers regarding consequences: absence rates, dropouts,…

A study with 288 college psychology students investigated the relationship between students' perceptions of the reasons for their academic success or failure (explanatory schemas) and the quality of instruction. Results are discussed in terms of the role of explanatory schemas as buffers or compensations for ineffective instruction. (Author/MSE)

A study of student failure or withdrawal from higher education in six institutions in northwestern England investigates the relative influence of 36 possible reasons for withdrawal. Respondents were 1083 full- and part-time students. Results for noncompletion, including institutional and student variables, and their cost to the public purse are…

Describes the lack of educational success experienced by boys in some countries and girls in other countries, and lists possible reasons for these inequalities. Presents certain contributory factors: employment prospects related to levels of education; composition and attitudes of the teaching staff; attitudes of parents and society; and attitudes…

This article explores an integrative framework for a motivational psychology for the education of Indigenous students. Drawing on and adapting Graham's (1994) taxonomy for motivational psychology, it is suggested that enhancing the educational outcomes of Indigenous students involves addressing factors relevant to the self (positive identity,…

This paper explores the presence of African American Vernacular English patterns in the reading of one child over a 20-week period. In this paper, I present insights from linguists about African American Vernacular English, list linguistic patterns characteristic of African American Vernacular English speakers, examine the relationship between the…

This study explored the results of aligning functional behavioral assessment (FBA) information with positive behavior support plans (PBS plans) designed with consideration for teacher acceptability. The independent variable had the three major components of a package, including assessment and planning (FBA), training (teachers, students, and…

This preliminary study examines the perceptions of mentoring relationships between cooperating teachers and student teachers as they impact practicum success or failure. Student teachers (N=74) and cooperating teachers (N=13) at 2 teacher preparation sites were asked to respond either orally or in writing to 3 questions: (1) When you think of a…

The number of black children "excluded" each month from schools in England and Wales is greatly out of proportion to their relative enrollment. Exclusion includes suspension for a fixed or indefinite term or expulsion from a particular school, and can include in-school exclusions of isolation. The term "black children" is taken…

Prompted by repeated failure on a required English language proficiency test by a large proportion of undergraduates, educators at Cardinal Stritch College (Wisconsin) conducted a study to determine predictors of failure or success on the test, and whether revision of course placement standards should be considered to improve test performance.…

This study examined the metacognitive awareness and perceived attributions for academic outcomes for a population of at-risk college students. Participants in this study were 78 university students who, as a condition of re-admittance to the university, were required to enroll in an academic support course. All participants had a grade point…

A study was undertaken to identify cultural, linguistic, and family factors affecting the academic performance of four Chinese students in the United States. Subjects were eighth-grade students who had come to the United States 3 to 5 years earlier, all native Mandarian speakers and all enrolled in a public school bilingual program where they had…

Using data from the same source as that employed in Herrnstein and Murray's book, "The Bell Curve," this study reexamined links between the test scores of mothers and children, paying close attention to what the scores measure and whether these measurements mean the same things for blacks and whites. The study replicated Herrnstein and…

This report provides a brief review of literature on at-risk students and implications for a study being conducted by the Pacific Region Educational Laboratory (PREL). The study aims to identify factors that put students at-risk of failure within the present system of public high schools in the Pacific region. Although numerous studies present a…