The adolescent peer group constitutes a vital component of the institutional culture of the contemporary secondary school. Formed among students and reinforced by administrators and teachers, it takes the form of a structured status hierarchy whose membership and boundaries are clearly understood within the school community. Individual students'…

Since educational statistics, which are relatively easy to obtain, can only attempt to measure "quality," this paper asks how quality in higher education is assessed and how educational rankings, which are defined as benchmarks or attempts to measure, contribute to this process. The paper notes that while attempts to rank institutions of…

This collection of 26 essays examines the historical position of Harvard University as one of the nation's most influential institutions. Included are: (1) "Introducing Harvard: A Social, Philosophical, and Political Profile" (John Trumpbour); (2) "How Harvard is Ruled: Administration and Governance at the Corporate University"…

Curriculum theory has long acknowledged the presence of a hidden curriculum in schools. Whereas the formal curriculum is explicit and documented, the hidden curriculum involves those attitudes, experiences, and learnings that are largely implicit and unintended. This article compares the hidden civic lessons found in public and private schools.…

Truths and myths involved with student admission to Ivy League colleges are revealed by a director of admissions whose experience includes admission work at Vassar, Bowdoin, Harvard and Yale. Several basic concepts are offered as fact: most private colleges in America today are not highly selective; many colleges pose as being more selective than…

Examines court decisions in 1995 concerning college and university tort liability in accidents. Issues addressed include defects in premises, inadequate facility maintenance, school policy concerning safety, recreational activities on campuses, student field experience programs, campus activities involving children, operation of campus housing,…

Discusses effects of peer relationships on preschoolers' social development. Peer acceptance is important for successful social interaction and adjustment to school, whereas antisocial behavior is associated with rejection. Family interaction and experience are connected to peer acceptance. Suggests approaches that teachers may use to facilitate…

Analyzes 60 sociology doctoral programs from 1975 through 1980. Measures per capita and gross productivity of each department. Shows that conventional assessment measures contain deficiencies. Documents a tendency for conflict between productivity and graduate education. Includes recommendations for future assessments that would measure not only…

The efforts of Vassar College and Cornell University in their early years (1865-1890) to manage problems presented by underprepared students are described. Based on archival materials, registers, institutional publications, and histories, attention is directed to the perceptions of administrators, faculty, students, and alumni concerning academic…

Results of this magazine's annual rating of colleges and universities are reported in articles about rising college costs, the college selection process, the new honors programs, the top 25 national universities, attitudes of college seniors about security and success, the top 25 liberal arts colleges, top regional institutions, top…

Teaching the Holocaust is a challenging task. Not only do educators have a responsibility to impart the historical information surrounding these events, but issues of humanity are also an important part of the lessons. As of 2001, Holocaust education has been mandated by at least 6 states in the United States. At least 11 others, including…

Past and current methods used in academic quality rankings of U.S. colleges and universities are discussed. In addition to a literature and historical review, modern quality rankings are compared with early (pre-1959) rankings, including past rankings of medical, dental, legal and black education. Also considered are the exemplary 1982 evaluation…

The quality of doctoral-level chemical engineering (N=79), civil engineering (N=74), electrical engineering (N=91), and mechanical engineering (N=82) programs at United States universities was assessed, using 16 measures. These measures focused on variables related to: (1) program size; (2) characteristics of graduates; (3) reputational factors…

Institutional image and desired goals for the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut, were assessed using the Institutional Goals Inventory (IGI) of the Educational Testing Service. All faculty and administrators of the private college were administered the IGI, and their responses were compared to those of the faculty four years previously.…

A study of predictors of performance of 123 internal medicine residents at the University of Michigan found the most significant predictors to be internal medicine clerkship grade, honor society status, medical school reputation, and scores on the National Board of Medical Examiners, Part I examination. Results suggest that the intern selection…