Reports data on several measures for 160 low income black ninth- and tenth-graders who participated for one year in Bereiter-Engelmann, DARCEE, Montessori, or traditional prekindergarten. Discusses possible relationships between techniques used in different preschool programs and sex differences in achievement level and IQ. (Author/CB)

Two aspects of recent trends in Black college attendance patterns are examined: the proportion of Blacks at various institution types and the distribution of Black students among institution types. Issues relating to institutional quality or reputation and Black enrollment are discussed. White enrollment data are included for comparison. (MSE)

Surveyed certified science and mathematics education graduates to determine reasons why they: (1) never taught; (2) left teaching; or (3) stayed in the profession. Also examined the conditions for attracting these recently certified teachers into teaching. Indicates that no reservoir of talent ready to assume science or mathematics teaching…

Determined importance of transition between a student's initial collegiate science experience and the decision to continue in science, and whether reasons students give to explain their success or failure in their first course are related to that decision. Results demonstrate a sense of competence for students who continue in science. (Author/JM)

"R&D Alert" covers issues affecting schools in the Western Regional Educational Laboratory's four-state region--Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah--and throughout the United States. This issue of "R&D Alert" shares what WestEd is learning from a sample of their latest work, focusing on three points in the process:…

The purpose of this study was to provide information regarding the impact of the new English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program at the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) in California. In fall 2000, the program increased from 5 to 8 courses and went from a 30-unit to a 35-unit program. Districtwide, ESOL Program enrollment…

This study by the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD), California, aims to determine the impact of prerequisite enforcement on retention and course completion rates in English and math courses among underrepresented students. The report analyzed a subset of the more than 300 prerequisite-enforced courses offered by the SDCCD. The course…

Just as the pool of qualified teacher applicants is shrinking and attrition rates are soaring, new standards are making entry into the teaching profession more difficult. Teachers can make sure their school system doesn't get caught in the crunch by implementing the approach from this visionary guide. Daniel A. Heller describes a top-to-bottom…

Debates about developmental instruction have prompted postsecondary institutions to justify their developmental courses. This study investigated a method of documenting the benefits of developmental courses that involves using placement test scores to predict college outcomes separately for students who take a developmental course before taking…

This paper examines the broad concept of college readiness, the research on advanced placement courses in high schools, and recommends that a statewide effort is needed to increase college readiness, college acclimation, college persistence, and college graduation rates. This effort needs to include a shared vision and the inclusion of multiple…

Although recent results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) suggest there is considerable variation in levels of undergraduate student engagement within Carnegie institutional classifications, research also suggests different classifications of institutions exhibit different types (Pike and Kuh, 2005) and levels (Pike, Kuh and…

In this comprehensive manual, author Peter Gow helps schools become communities where teachers are nurtured "from raw recruits into seasoned, effective, and even beloved professionals." Peter Gow, academic dean at Beaver Country Day School (MA), lays out a step-by-step approach to building and keeping a strong faculty, a school's greatest asset.…

A survey was conducted to explore public knowledge about the U.S. educational system and postsecondary degree completion in particular. The survey studied public knowledge of and perceptions about the challenges facing high school students, including low-income and minority groups, trying to move on to college and succeed once they are there. The…

This study explored how many teachers were leaving public school districts in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin during their first 5 years in teaching. Researchers analyzed four types of novice teachers, including those who: taught continuously in the same district all 5 years, transferred to another district within the state but…

With both high retirement and high attrition rates among K?12 teachers and a burgeoning student population nationwide, more teachers are needed. Yet if we are to turn around schools in need of improvement, help all students meet rigorous academic standards, and close the achievement gap, simply getting more teachers into the profession will not…