This study contributes to the field by identifying a broad range of traditional and newer middle grade policies and practices, and determining in California which of these differentiate higher- from lower-performing schools serving similar student populations, with performance measured by the state's standards-based tests. Based on a sample of 303…

In the 2008-09 school year researchers from EdSource and Stanford University conducted a large-scale study of 303 middle grades schools in California. The team surveyed 303 principals, 3,752 English Language Arts (ELA) and math teachers in grades 6-8, and 157 superintendents of the districts and charter management organizations that oversee the…

Inasmuch as research has held the increase in youth gang activities responsible for the escalating level of crime and delinquency in Chinese societies, ascertaining risk or protective factors of gang involvement among Chinese youths is crucial. The factors include those associated with social control, social learning, and cognitive development. To…

Using an integration of social control theory and the routine activity perspective, adolescent time use was examined for effects on problem behaviors. We examined a wide variety of time use categories, including homework, extracurricular activities, sports time, alone time, paid work, housework, television watching, as well as indices of family…

In this article, the author discusses AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), a program that enrolls the students who are most frequently marginalized in rigorous classes to prepare them for postsecondary education. The best predictor of success or failure in postsecondary education is the intensity and quality of secondary school…

This study investigated the efficacy of noncognitive variables and academic background for the prediction of college grade performance and persistence. A total of 7,377 new first-year college students participated in the study, completing demographic questionnaires at the start of the school year. Data were also collected on American College Test…

This study examined receptive and expressive language as a precursor of maladaptive behavior in African-American, inner-city children. It compared the adaptive and maladaptive behavior scores of 202 children--most from single-parent and low-income families--from District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) at age 12 to their scores on similar…

Gender and ethnic differences in, and possible predictors of, academic self-confidence, academic self-efficacy, and career-related outcome expectations were investigated for 289 students entering graduate programs in engineering and physical sciences at a research university in the midwestern United States. Influence of student demographic…

This study investigated the efficacy of noncognitive variables and academic background as a function of student ethnic group for the prediction of college grade performance and persistence. New freshmen during four consecutive fall semesters were administered the Cooperative Institutional Research Program Freshmen Survey. The sample included 251…

A study investigated the appropriateness of admissions standards used for transfer students to the University of Missouri-Columbia, by analyzing the relationship between several possible predictor variables (number of transfer credits, transfer grade point average, type of previous institution, type of associate degree earned) and targeted…

This book, which is intended for career counselors, is based on studies extending over 40 years that examined people living under different socioeconomic regimens in various parts of the world. It discusses the formation and implementation of life aspirations from adolescence onward. The book begins with an analysis of the phenomenon of…

This study attempted to determine the personal and workplace variables which predict a special educator's decision to stay, transfer, or leave the classroom. A stratified random sample of 1,576 special education teachers in Florida was surveyed, resulting in 1,152 usable responses. Two models were estimated with forward stepwise logistic…

This study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative research designs to analyze and evaluate procedures used in selecting youth for state-supported residential high schools for mathematics and science. Pre-admission and post-admission data were gathered for 742 students in 7 schools. Predictor variables included home school grade point…

To determine the average time students take to complete an associate degree, certificate, or diploma, Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), in Pennsylvania, conducted a study of all 944 students who graduated during the 1991-92 academic year. Data for the sample were gathered related to age, sex, grade point average, academic major, attendance…

In May 1991, Golden West College (California) conducted a validation study of the English portion of the Assessment and Placement Services for Community Colleges (APS), followed by a predictive validity study in July 1991. The initial study was designed to aid in the implementation of the new test at GWC by comparing data on APS use at other…