Surveyed 249 faculty at two British universities regarding their perceptions of changes in teaching and research since the introduction of separate funding for teaching and research in 1986. Faculty at both the research-oriented and teaching-oriented university reported spending less time on research and more time on teaching and administrative…

Examines family encouragement and selected background variables influencing Mexican American female academic achievement at a large southwestern university. Results revealed that students with a positive view of their academic ability combined with a strong sense of personal responsibility for their academic future were likely to be academically…

The attributions of 575 tenth graders in senior high schools in Norway of their perceived general results in school and how attributions related to self-esteem were studied. Students who felt they had done well attributed their results more to ability than did those who felt they had done poorly. (SLD)

Impacts of the parents' divorce and the student's academic potential and drug use on non-completion of high school were examined using 3 methods of structural equation modeling with latent variables. Data were collected from 706 adolescents (in grades 10 through 12). Maximum likelihood, asymptotically distribution-free, and categorical variable…

Examines latent mean differences in the results of a number of self-concept measures of low and high track suburban Canadian high school students. Suggests that low track students may compensate for their negative academic experiences by emphasizing social popularity. (FMW)

Data from 31 middle school teachers were categorized through the use of qualitative research to determine what teachers perceive to be the advantages and disadvantages of ability grouping as well as alternative grouping practices. Found that most teachers were knowledgeable about ability grouping through experience or professional development;…

This article describes action-oriented teacher research in which teachers use information students reveal about the competent aspects of their lives as learners to direct their teaching efforts. The article notes methodological considerations of this approach and applications to the study of special education. (Author/DB)

Questions whether the nation's most prestigious colleges and universities are admitting large numbers of black students who are not capable of competing with their white classmates and if admission double standards are doing more harm than good. The article is followed by editorial comments addressing the author's position on mismatching. (GR)

Responds to Maureen Hallinan's review of research and recommendations regarding grouping students for instructional purposes. Contends that ability grouping is much more than an administrative practice. Concludes that the school's normative, social, and political climate should be the object of reform. (CFR)

Evaluated the factor structure, reliability, and validity of a French version of the Self-Perception Profile for Children. The profile was administered to elementary school students in Quebec, and results were correlated with teacher and peer assessments. Results supported a five-factor solution and indicated that each factor was reliably…

Questions assumptions implicit in the fifth objective of National Education Goal 5, calling for critical thinking, communication and problem-solving abilities. Outlines strategies for a national assessment/improvement program, including setting goals, preparing faculty to foster student learning, gathering evidence on outcomes, and using…

Examines forces shaping the development of a national collegiate assessment program, including increases in immigrants and elective courses. Highlights obstacles to assessing college students' critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving abilities and argues that a national program should begin in states and individual colleges rather…

Discusses the structure and results of a university physics entry examination that measures students' expertise with mathematical tools and formal logic operations required for the study of college physics. Indicates that the examination adequately serves incoming students: to evaluate academic potential; to emphasize specific deficiencies; and to…

In a longitudinal study, the relationships between student interests, school subjects studied, and preference for college science and technology courses were investigated in a group of 262 Australian male students attending independent single sex secondary schools. Interests, ability, and occupational preferences were all predictive in varying…

Proposes that a constructivist approach to learning helps overcome the beliefs that (1) some people cannot learn mathematics; and (2) the truth of mathematical propositions is absolute and predetermined. Describes the Ventures Program in which urban high school students exposed to constructivist learning environments have increased their…