Perceptions of students in a Year 10 classroom were compared with those of their teacher at each of six schools with regard to the aims, regularity, conduct and assessment of laboratory work. Students in five of the schools had statistically different views from their teacher about the relative importance of 10 aims of laboratory work,…

Elementary school children (N=203) in multiple settings across five years were interviewed and/or surveyed regarding their participation as members of social skills groups and peer network activities with children with autism (N-38). Most children enjoyed the programs, felt they benefited academically and/or socially, and had positive attitudes…

Examines how data from student self-report surveys and other sources can be used to assess the weaknesses in current school iincidentreporting systems and improve the validity of surveillance data on school violence. Assesses the validity of data from Gun-Free Schools Act reports on the number of guns in school in light of nationally…

Discusses results of a survey of 148 off-campus students formerly enrolled in Deakin University (Australia) to assess factors that influenced their decisions to leave/withdraw. Implications of the findings for quality assurance in higher education and the development of more flexible modes of distance education are suggested. (Author/LRW)

In Winnepeg (Canada), a survey of 319 urban high school students, 51% of whom had received peer mediation training in junior high school, found no significant differences between the two groups in their attitudes and beliefs about conflict resolution or in their satisfaction with their abilities to resolve conflicts. Possible explanations relate…

Reviews surveys concerning the attitudes of San Marcos (Texas) school children toward geography in 1983 and 1993. Shows that they generally ranked geography low on their list of favorite subjects; however, discerns statistically significant improvement in the popularity of geography over the decade, tentatively associated with more active learning…

Examined the influence of student debt load on college persistence using data from the National Postsecondary Aid Survey of 1992-93 and a model of student persistence that includes either total accumulated debt or threshold of accumulated debt. Findings indicated threshold of accumulated debt was a more effective method of examining student debt…

A survey of 362 high school juniors showed their ideas about career aspirations were similar to their parents'. Most turned to their mothers for career planning help. Findings for young men and women and minority and majority youth. (SK)

Discusses results of the National Survey of Student Engagement, a $3.3 million project sponsored by the Pew Charitable Trusts which gauged the extent to which colleges encourage actual learning. More than 63,000 undergraduates filled out the questionnaire in spring 2000. Findings indicated that small and liberal arts colleges fared well in the…

Surveys elementary school children (N=289) to examine aspects of their social and contextual experiences in schools. Students classified as having poor relationships with teachers and poor bonds with school had poorer scores on self- and teacher ratings for social and emotional adjustment. Results provide researchers with descriptive typology that…

Presents an interview with Drs. Carolyn J. Palmer and Robert A. Rhoads regarding campus violence and campus activism. Describes a rise in relationship violence (involving dating partners, roommates, classmates, etc.) since the 1960s, as well as a rise in binge drinking and the use of weapons on campus. Differentiates between campus violence and…

Norwegian students (N=9,679), grades 7-12, were followed in order to determine which variables may account for gender differences in self-reported suicide attempts. Gender differences in previous suicide attempts were significantly reduced when depression was controlled, and was no longer significant when eating disorders were considered. No…

A survey of Canadian undergraduates found that when all else is held constant, students with positive attitudes toward debt are more likely than others to have an Ontario Student Assistance Plan loan. (EV)

A survey of undergraduate students (n=473) from a small liberal arts university evaluated several independent variables (gender, community service, membership in campus organizations, and out-of-class experiences) in terms of goals associated with a liberal education. Analysis indicated that gender and type of extramural activities (i.e., student…

Argues that findings from interviews with basic writing students cast new light on the responsibilities teachers have toward basic writers. Suggests that teachers must help students understand what it means to be a basic writer and can help writers contest and refute their labels through the curricula in the writing courses. (NH)