A study of doctoral candidates who left doctoral study considered these factors: financial difficulties, relationships with advisors and/or committees, research problems, personal problems, employment interference, family demands, peer support loss of interest, and employment patterns. Implications for policy formation are considered. (MSE)

A discussion of the distribution of student financial aid in Australia focuses on these issues: direct vs. indirect payment to students; inequality in living allowances given to secondary and postsecondary students; and distribution of expense allowances by state government and living allowances by the Commonwealth. (MSE)

Examines the relationship between living environment and educational progress in a longitudinal study of 686 college students. Findings confirmed demographic differences and higher graduation rate; but an independent effect of residence hall living on educational progress was not confirmed. Transfer influences were also evaluated. (Author/JAC)

Queries which college serves best: one with 10,000 part-time students or one with 2,500 full-time students? Deems the services rendered dissimilar, but the costs about the same. Discusses attrition rates and transfer success and the relationship between academic persistence and goal attainment. (DMM)

Discusses transfer students, difficulties and expectations from four year colleges, and reasons why half of them never finish baccalaureate degrees. It is suggested that transfer programs emphasize clear information, speedy processing, separate orientation, and communication with two-year colleges. (JAC)

Discusses several problems and failures of community colleges related to: encouraging students not to break with the home and peer milieux of secondary school; articulation and orientation of transfer students; vocational tracking; attrition; students' poor self-concepts; inadequate academic advising; and competition for postsecondary enrollments.…

Profiles an Introduction to Geography course that integrates first year experience (FYE) materials into the curriculum. FYE programs are designed to aid students in the transition to college, develop study skills, increase awareness of useful resources, help students understand the community of the university, and encourage critical thinking. (MJP)

Draws on recent data from surveys and research conducted by the U.S. Department of Education to sketch the outline of the approaching changes in the teacher labor market and to comment on the issue of teacher quality. Enduring teacher quality requires institutional reform in the teacher preparation and compensation system. (SM)

To increase the number of African American men with doctorates in the sciences, the "100 Black Men" group and the "National Consortium for Educational Access" have begun a fellowship program. The program provides $6,000 stipends annually for graduate study. There are currently 11 fellows in institutions across the United…

Examined factors which influence withdrawal/retention rates in the first term at one university. Data were based on a questionnaire survey of the new undergraduate intake. The effectiveness of counseling intervention with first-year undergraduates at risk of leaving school in their first term is also explored. (Author/RJM)

A study of eight successive freshman cohorts at the University of South Carolina found that both participating in a freshman orientation seminar and living on campus reduced freshman dropout rates. Students who both participated in the seminar and lived on campus had the lowest dropout rate, whereas those who did neither had the highest dropout…

A 20-year follow-up study of 41 individuals with learning disabilities revealed attributes that differentiated the successful from the unsuccessful group. Some themes discussed include the critical influence of the learning disability across the entire lifespan, differences in participants' family functioning, and differences in participants'…

A study investigated the people and actions related to two successful gifted advocacy events that included state legislative changes. Five ingredients of success represented the key characteristics common to the leaders in each advocacy group: passion, preparation, inspiration, perseverance, and the ability to take advantage of serendipity.…

Fifty-two Indigenous adults in Northern Territory (Australia) who were returning to education reflected on their earlier experiences in school and on factors that contributed to their motivation to stay in school or drop out early. Factors included family support and family problems, influence of friends, problems with other students, and good and…

First-cycle university courses in France have a special function, both providing education and serving as an adjustment variable, guaranteeing a place in higher education for any student with the "baccalaureat" degree. Suggests criticism of the system for poor completion rates in undergraduate courses is partially unfounded because the…