This study analyzed data from the Illinois Shared Enrollment and Graduation Information System concerning attendance and graduation patterns of two groups: students who entered Illinois public universities as first-time freshmen between 1987 and 1992 and students who had graduated from Illinois public universities by spring 1998. Major findings…

This document offers a chronology of sources regarding the implementation of an information competency graduation requirement in California community colleges. The Academic Senate for the California Community Colleges defines information competency as the ability to find, evaluate, use, and communicate information in various formats. The…

This report summarizes information from states that responded to a survey on access to adult education opportunities for youth with disabilities. Information was gathered from 43 states during the months of March and April 1999. Results indicate: (1) 26 of the responding states authorized the use of federal and state public education funds for all…

Whereas many prior studies evaluated the association between borrower or institutional characteristics and default behavior, the general finding of most researchers today is that college success plays a bigger role in predicting who will default than either the background of the borrower or the type of institution attended. All else being equal,…

The "National Dropout Prevention Newsletter" is published quarterly by the National Dropout Prevention Center/Network. This issue contains the following articles: (1) College As A Bridge to High School Graduation (Terry Cash); (2) 2005 NDPN Crystal Star Awards of Excellence; (3) Mott Middle College (Chery S. Wagonlander); (4) Gateway to…

A study of degree completion rates, time taken to earn degrees, and final academic standing in two universities showed wide variation between faculty and academic department, between the universities, between males and females, and between direct entry and transfer students. Assessment of the impact of rising admissions standards is recommended.…

Five legal principles (and cases establishing them) on the use of competency testing in student placement or for graduation are discussed. The principles address the constitutionality of appropriate use, adequate notice to students, prohibition of effects of past racial discrimination, graduation test validity, and requirements for handicapped…

A study of Black and White 1974 freshmen explored computing graduation predictions for admissions use. Sex, race, residency, major, high school rank, high school size, Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, and predicted grade point average were used as predictors. Correct predictions occurred for 64.5 percent of Blacks, 57.65 percent of Whites. (MSE)

An Oregon state study examined whether retention and graduation rates experienced by Basic Educational Opportunity Grant students were significantly different than those of students who did not receive financial aid. The grant program is seen as effective in promoting equality of educational opportunity. (MLW)

Discusses how to make sure a school is teaching the things the community, staff, and students believe are important. Explains how (and how not) to conduct a survey about what the schools should be teaching. (JM)

Peoria's efforts with the development and implications of a Minimum Competency Testing (MCT) program are described, including the program model used, numbers of high school seniors and seventh graders who passed the pilot test sequence, and views on the advantages, disadvantages, and effectiveness of the MCT program. (Editor/SJL)

Demonstrates the role the guarantee of due process can play in ensuring that vital interests in public education not be lost through erroneous assessments of a student's proficiency in basic skills, and describes the limits constitutional and statutory guarantees of equal educational opportunity place on the use of competency testing. (Author/IRT)

Chicago's High School for Agricultural Sciences is a popular and successful urban school devoted to agriculture. This agriculturally focused high school features a tough academic curriculum and hands-on learning designed to prepare the predominantly Black and Hispanic student body for college and careers in agriculture. (SM)

Reviews results of a study assessing the effectiveness of developmental studies program policy at a community college. Issues addressed include required remediation of skill-deficient students, enrollment in college-level courses by skill-deficient students, and differing policies for skill-deficient students depending on extent of deficiency.…

Data from a national survey of high school students were examined to determine the effects of increased mathematics requirements on the kinds of mathematics students studied, dropout rates, achievement test score gains, and the association of socioeconomic status with test scores and dropping out. Results found little effect on probability of…