Social cognitive theory suggests that individuals' beliefs about their efficacy in specific contexts, such as school, influence their motivation in those settings. The relationship between various sociocultural factors and the development of adolescents' perceived academic self-efficacy are investigated in this paper. Participants (N=202), drawn…

Positive relationships between student study behaviors and academic achievement were examined in this extension of a large-scale Far West Laboratory project. Participants were 196 college students drawn from 28 sections of an introductory psychology course over a 4-semester period, involving 12 instructors. Subjects' activities and allocation of…

This research review summarizes two major sets of meta-analyses on five kinds of ability grouping programs: (1) XYZ classes (high, middle, and low classes); (2) cross-grade grouping; (3) within-class grouping; (4) accelerated classes; and (5) enriched classes. One group of meta analyses concluded that the strongest benefits from grouping were…

Following the implementation of a matriculation plan at Rancho Santiago College (RSC), a study was conducted to examine the appropriateness of student course placement as assessed by faculty and students and to investigate faculty's perceptions of changes in students' skill level preparation over the past few years. Questionnaires were completed…

As part of the American College Testing (ACT) High School Profile Service, national norms are provided to reflect the characteristics of students who took the ACT Assessment during their junior or senior years and graduated from high school in 1990. Four-year averages for ACT-tested graduates are illustrated. The tables of norms include: (1) mean…

College preferences and choices of a sample of high-ability high school seniors applying to colleges in spring 1984 were studied to determine the award of no-need (merit) aid to the students and the degree to which such aid influences college choices, in relation to other factors. A multistage model of college choice behavior was employed that…

College choice is a critical decision facing many high school students. Although some research has examined where students go for help in making college choices, few studies have examined how race or gender differences of the students or differences in their standardized test scores affect their information sources. Entering college freshmen…

The case study of the use of a classroom observation technique to evaluate the abilities and performance of a bilingual kindergarten student previously assessed as a low achiever is described. There are three objectives: to show the validity of the ethnographic monitoring technique, to show the value of teachers as collaborating researchers, and…

Although ability partly explains why some students are eager to learn in school whereas others are disinterested, motivation is another significant factor. This newsletter discusses factors that affect students' motivation to learn, considers techniques that can increase motivation, and identifies schools that have developed activities to enhance…

This study used five data sets to investigate the effects of measured cognitive skills on educational attainment, and the effects of cognitive skills and educational attainment on occupational status and earning among men with low test scores, as compared to men with high test scores, and among men with blue-collar fathers, as compared to men with…

The overall composition of medical student enrollments and the distribution of their academic and demographic characteristics in 1976-1977 is examined and described. Most enrollment totals and background variables are presented by class level (first, intermediate, and final years) and type of control of medical school (public or private). It is…

Focusing primarily on students with above-average ability, this study tries to measure the extent to which these students, or subgroups of them, are discouraged from applying to high-priced institutions by purely financial considerations. Questionnaires were developed and mailed to approximately 8,000 students selected randomly from the list of…

Much interest has been directed toward instructional resources and their effect on student achievement. Results of studies show positive, negative, and no effects of some of these resources on achievement. This paper analyzes the distributions of reading instructional time, materials, and personnel of four New York State school districts with…

Bayesian data analytic procedures were used to assess the effects of a new undergraudate advising program designed to focus on students who do not initially declare a major field of study. Past research has shown that these students tend to graduate at a low rate, relative to those who do declare majors. It was hypothesized that these students…

A pilot study was conducted to determine effective methods for testing students' learning processes. The theoretical framework within which learning processes were investigated is based on the B-P-E paradigm. This states that "Behavior (B) is a function of the Person (P) and the Environment (E)". After reviewing research done in related…