Examines effects of parental participation in work and family roles on perceptions of responsibility for their children's school adjustment for 129 female and 124 male college students. Results raise concerns about perceptions of responsibility for divorced working mothers, who were given less credit and more blame than other groups. (SLD)

Data from a Literacy Analysis Center longitudinal study indicate that less than 1 in 10 persons (sample of 84 program leavers) discontinue adult literacy programs because they have completed the program. Various situational and institutional causes of attrition are discussed, and recommendations are presented for reducing attrition. (SLD)

Describes a study of student teachers that examined determinants of achievement in a computer literacy course. Correlations with measures of computer attitudes, perceived locus of control, gender, age, and prior word processing and computer experience are discussed, and the computer literacy model on which the analysis of data was based is…

The responses of 541 incoming freshmen attending the 1988 orientation program at the University of Maryland, College Park, were compared to those of 1,091 freshmen who attended the program in 1978. Attitudes toward recruitment of Blacks and the university's influence to improve social conditions were more favorable in 1988. (Author/MLW)

A model of influences affecting early career teachers' job satisfaction was developed and tested. The path model, tested with 250 Black and 262 White teachers, indicated that influences leading to satisfaction differ across racial groups; and sexual differences should be considered in teacher induction and training. (TJH)

Describes study of eighth grade students that was designed to determine whether gender of the protagonist in mathematics story problems can play a significant role in mathematics learning. The use of the Secondary-School Attitudes toward Women Scale is described, and correlations among individual difference and task-outcome variables are analyzed.…

Reports findings of a Scottish study using questionnaires and interviews to investigate views of 387 college freshmen on course selection, specifically addressing low female enrollment in computing areas. Finds computing students motivated by extrinsic awards. Reveals stereotypes, intimidation fears, lack of role models, and teacher guidance…

Reports on a study of the attitudes of 542 students in grades 3-6 toward singing and choir participation in relation to grade level, gender, classroom singing activities, previous singing experience, and degree of singing skill. Finds that most subjects indicated a positive attitude toward singing, but less than half were interested in choral…

Focuses on the academic decision making of several female African Americans in a rural southern (primarily African-American) town by considering their personal school experiences and their interpretations of the value of education in their community contexts. Preliminary findings show many contradictions between educational beliefs and actual…

Explores young adolescents' consumption of popular media and the impact of the media upon adolescent health (nutrition, sex, stress, and substance use). The paper provides recommendations for professionals working with early adolescents to help them arm that population with the skills to approach the media critically and make healthy choices. (SM)

An antiracist staff development course for teachers can help sensitize teachers to the racial constructions of reality in their own lives, schools, curricula, and teacher-student interactions. The curriculum would offer teachers a framework for teaching against racism. The paper examines how issues of class and gender affect racism. (SM)

Interpersonal and intrapersonal risk for substance use were investigated for 1,170 Caucasian and Hispanic American sixth and seventh graders, equally divided by gender. Mean use levels did not differ for ethnic groups. Across both gender and ethnicity, susceptibility to peer pressure and peer alcohol use were the best predictors of substance use.…

An epistemological questionnaire assessing student beliefs about simple knowledge, certain knowledge, quick learning, and fixed ability to learn was administered to more than 1,000 high school students. Results demonstrate some epistemological development during high school and suggest that epistemological beliefs predict grade point average. (SLD)

This study examined possible predictors of feelings of alienation from school in elementary and middle school students who completed surveys in 1991. Results indicated that gender and school variables were the most consistent predictors of alienation. The study did not wholly support the theory that alienation is a steady developmental process.…

Examines relationship between admission criteria and academic performance among 654 master's in social-work (MSW) students in one state university, 1985-1992. Test scores on a pre-graduation comprehensive exam measured academic achievement. Results indicate two admissions criteria, undergraduate grade point average and Graduate Record Examination…