Students' course evaluations were related to 16 background characteristics for 511 undergraduate courses and 221 instructors. Each separate variable explained less than five percent of the variance. The four most influential background variables were: prior subject interest, expected grades, workload/difficulty, and percent enrolled for general…

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act mandates a free and appropriate education for all handicapped children between the ages of 3-18 (to be extended to 3-21 by 1981). The premises upon which the act was formulated as well as its provisions are described. (RL)

The high cost of compulsory admissions interviews and the lack of proven effectiveness in predicting academic success is discussed. Selective interviewing is seen as an effective compensatory device for overcoming culturally/racially biased test scores or grade point averages and as a recruitment mechanism. Suggestions for essay questions are…

A study on the validity of admissions predictions done at the University of Kansas is reported. The results show that interjudge reliability was low, predictions captured small proportions of total variance, and year-to-year variability was apparent. Suggestions for research include the study of faculty as admissions decision makers. (Author/MLW)

Recruitment ads aimed at college students should generate response from the target audience, create a favorable impression of the company and influence personnel who influence students. Ads must be unique, visable, believable and invite action and serve as part of a total recruitment strategy. (JAC)

A study is reported that compared a group of 24 applicants who were interviewed and accepted at the Yale University School of Medicine but went to other medical schools with a group who attended the same schools but had been rejected at Yale following an interview and committee deliberation. (Author/MLW)

Some instructive experience about the potential and limits of a meaningful role for African universities in the 1980s is discussed. The challenge of the 1980s is to convince African governments and national populations that university contributions to national development lie in the ability to train minds and a thinking society. (Author/MLW)

The Florida community college/university articulation experience attempts to facilitate student mobility and expand access while creating a common academic currency. Background leading up to this movement is presented and the provisions of the agreement are outlined. (JMF)

The reliability of Nigeria's entry qualification examinations as a predictor of success at the university level is examined. Results indicate a positive correlation in the science-based fields and very low predictability in the social sciences. (JMF)

Constitutional issues addressed in the Supreme Court's decision are reviewed. The opinions rendered by Justice Powell are viewed as reflections of the weakness of recent equal protection theory, and as signs of future doctrine. (GC)

Examines the legal status of racial discrimination in admission to private, nonsectarian schools; the legal status of racial discrimination in private, sectarian schools; the status of proposed revenue procedures for private, tax-exempt schools; and other unresolved legal issues. (Author/IRT)

Describes the new admissions system to be adopted by the British Open University in 1980. It is hoped that the new system will enable other local and national institutions to make more positive plans for Open University preparatory courses and allow students more help and time to prepare for intended courses. (Author/CSS)

An indicator of financial health for colleges and universities is proposed that uses a measure of future cash availability based on current status and income and expense trends. (Author/BH)

It is argued that the Supreme Court's Bakke decision overturning the University of California's minority admissions program is good for those who favor affirmative action programs in higher education. The Supreme Court gives wide latitude for devising programs that take race and ethnic background into account if colleges are acting in good faith.…

Explains the procedures in China by which candidates for entrance to certain secondary and all postsecondary institutions are chosen. Traces trends in admission policies during the 1960s and 1970s and discusses the relationship of political influences (particularly the anti-intellectualism of the Cultural Revolution) to admission policy. (DB)