A study of Black, Mexican-American, and Anglo college students showed high school grades and Scholastic Aptitude Test scores remain the best predictors of college grades. College grades and college persistence were not related. Racial factors were not strong predictors of persistence, though some cultural variables showed correlations. (JAC)

A self-assessment scale was administered to adults in a high school equivalency program. After ten weeks, the scores of those who persisted were compared to those of dropouts. The self-concept of dropouts was found to be significantly different from that of persisters, providing a personality portrait useful in the identification of potential…

Results indicate freshmen consider academic and personal topics to be important, but academic categories have primacy. To increase freshmen retention, the academic domain warrants a high priority in orientation programs. They should also focus on student life outside the classroom such as finances and extracurricular activities. (Author)

A study of the career progression patterns of agricultural education majors at North Carolina State University revealed that 94 of the 338 graduates are teaching vocational agriculture. This number represents roughly one-fourth of the vocational agriculture teachers in North Carolina. (LRA)

Reports a graduate survey of Dundee (Scotland) College of Education students, focusing on sex differences in numbers still in teaching, grade level assignments, promotions, and geographic location of teaching job (Scotland or abroad). (SJL)

Texas small schools have promising programs, innovative practices, and pressing problems. They utilize mainstreaming and provide special materials for the gifted and talented. Problems are primarily in the areas of hiring and retaining teachers, financing programs, and energy costs. (CM)

Reported is a study to determine whether the homogeneous residential grouping of female prepharmacy students would increase persistence and satisfaction with both the pharmacy curriculum and residence hall living, facilitate peer relationships, and enhance behavioral development. (JMD)

Highlights the results of a survey that examined what influenced young people to select music education as a career. Provides suggestions for recruiting future music teachers during high school, such as providing opportunities to teach or encourage greater participation of underrepresented students. (CMK)

Examined prospective Tanzanian teachers' reasons for choosing teaching as a career, perceptions of the job, and future aspirations. Data from student surveys indicated that few respondents considered teaching their chosen career. However, although many of the respondents initially regarded teaching as a last resort, low-status, low-paying job, the…

Describes features of the concept of involvement, or quality of a child's activity, and a training package for observing children's involvement at child care centers. Recounts use of Leuven Involvement Scales to examine activities of over 600 children in 8 German child care centers. Findings reveal the prevalence of sex-typed activity preferences…

Examines challenges in retaining students of color and the urge by some reformers to "fix the student" rather than focusing on institutional change. Argues that institutional commitment to retention entails a willingness to revise policies, power relationships, curriculum, support services, campus climate, and environment. Offers recommendations…

Describes three retention programs for regularly admitted students of color. Outlines each program's history and inception; its funding, staffing, and facilities; how the program has become institutionalized and marketed. The key components of the program and assessment of program effectiveness are presented, as well as the crises encountered and…

Examines the enrollment and persistence decisions of 674 applicants accepted at one university in the fall of 1992. Results indicate that the university is fulfilling community needs for place-bound students, women students, full-time students, and those students needing a supportive environment. Illustrates how research on aid can benefit…

Assessed the effectiveness of one effort to curb urban teacher attrition through a nontraditional approach to teacher education, induction, and ongoing professional development. Results from quantitative data about teachers' 5-year retention rates and qualitative data about types of preparation and ongoing support underscore the importance of…

Argues that retention statistics indicate that developmental students have the best chance for success when they attend four-year institutions. Discusses the data relative to a new and more successful model for developmental education that eliminates stand-alone remedial courses and instead embeds remedial education in core curriculum. (Contains…