Describes a study to test causal relationships among variables related to Hispanic students' intent to persist using multiple regression and path analysis models. Reports that a path analysis model, examining students' satisfaction with their academic experience and instruction, commitment, family support, and perceptions of future job prestige,…

A study investigated the academic achievement of 390 students in a freshman seminar designed to enhance academic success of three risk groups (underachievers, overachievers, and low achievers). The populations responded to seminar content in distinct ways. Comparison with a control group showed the only gain was in retention of low achievers.…

The traditional approach to grammar teaching provides learners with opportunities to produce specific grammatical structures. This article explores an alternative approach, one based on interpreting input. The rationale for the approach is discussed, as are the principles for designing interpretation tasks for grammar teaching. (Contains 35…

Fiscal threats mobilized a coalition of administrators and senior faculty at Long Island University's Brooklyn (New York) campus to address student retention. Drawing on collaborative curricular models from the honors program, the coalition created mutually reinforcing faculty development initiatives, to the benefit of both faculty retention and…

Discusses problems of sample selection in explaining student performance in economics classes. Reports on a study of student performance correlated with class attendance, course dropouts, and homework. Concludes that any researcher gathering data about instructional effectiveness must account for students who drop the class. (CFR)

Describes a study that used quantitative and qualitative inquiry to determine how collaborative learning relates to the achievement and persistence of first-year community college students. Examines the experiences of students enrolled in Seattle Central Community College's Coordinated Studies Program, an interdisciplinary, team-taught set of…

Describes a systemwide effort within the Colorado Community College and Occupational Education System to develop a framework for improving student persistence and success. Highlights changes to the original Bean and Metzner retention model, the characteristics and needs of Colorado's two-year college student population, the campus-based…

Design and implementation of supplemental instruction (SI), a combination of content review and training in study strategies for students in high-risk courses, are discussed. The context here is college-level mathematics instruction. It is noted that SI in mathematics may require more structure than in some other content areas. (MSE)

The proposition that teacher perceptions of the fairness of their workloads are related to varying levels of commitment, job satisfaction, and morale was studied for 472 high school teachers. Results from the mail survey support the proposition. Implications for administrative practice are discussed. (SLD)

Examines the impact of sociodemographic variables on employment retention of 2,078 male and 1,299 female Cambodian, Laotian, Vietnamese, Polish, Romanian, Soviet, and other refugees in greater metropolitan Chicago (Illinois). Labor force participation patterns and experiences are influenced differentially by background characteristics and exposure…

This article examines leading proposals from the past four decades, the 1950s through the 1980s, for the reform of teacher education and outlines guidelines for determining the inherent worth and substance of teacher education reform proposals. (IAH)

A questionnaire was completed by 463 special educators and 493 general educators in Virginia. Analysis indicated that work-related variables, such as leadership support, role conflict, role ambiguity, and stress, are better predictors of commitment and job satisfaction than are demographic variables. Findings were similar for general and special…

Supports the primacy of standard language usage in higher education, arguing that common communication and comprehension bind together a pluralistic culture. Contends individual student success and equality also are promoted by standard language usage. Calls for research into academic failure among minorities. Suggests standardization need not…

The ability of investment theory to account for intent and behavior of 421 part-time, working community-college students concerning departure from or persistence at college was studied. The contribution of investment to institutional persistence, and a framework for the departure decision process among nontraditional college students are…

This article reviews the literature and proposes that the problem of retention of teachers of students with emotional and behavior disorders be addressed in teacher preparation programs. Programs should include an understanding of factors leading to burnout, individual coping mechanisms, and training in most-needed competencies. (DB)