The study examines changes in social interest scores of freshmen in a community college over a period of one semester. The authors hypothesized that students who attended the community college for the full semester, with all of the services offered to them, should show an increase in social interest as they became more aware of their ability to…

A study of faculty contact with college freshmen and sophomores and the students' grade point averages (GPA) found little reciprocity. GPA was most strongly affected by high school performance and academic integration, and faculty contact was most influenced by advisor contact, talking in class, and campus organization membership. (MSE)

Phenomenological study examined the social experiences of eight rural parents who stood up for their child at school. Main themes characterizing their experiences were: (1) parents know the teachers and principal; (2) it is common knowledge in the community whenever a child has a problem at school; and (3) what happens at school can change…

A total of 160 Asian Americans completed a series of standardized instruments assessing their environmental, social, and psychological experiences as undergraduates. Overall, social support variables were the strongest predictors of academic persistence. Research-derived implications for university personnel and professional counselors are…

Explains that in order to write a book on the Progressive Era that can compete with the plethora of books already on this topic, the author combined two common strategies used when approaching his book: (1) examining the politics of the period; and (2) analyzing the people and their experiences with social change. (CMK)

Speech communication plays a significant role in a liberal arts education. Studying and practicing oral communication constitutes direct inquiry into the social and psychological features of social life and survival and presents reality phenomena more directly and emphatically than do writing or other types of communication. Such direct social…

Increased interaction between people of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds demands new approaches to instruction in intercultural communication. Typically, four models of cross-cultural training are utilized to provide individuals with understanding of different cultural styles: the practical-functional approach, focusing on specific skill…

This book reports on the Harvard Preschool Project, a study of how child-rearing practices affect the development of social and intellectual competence in children from birth to age six. The study is based on the experiences of 31 subjects in their own homes in Massachusetts. Part I gives the introduction, background and strategy for determining…

A cross-age art project involving second graders and high school students is described. Each group investigated the design qualities of several popular picture books and then wrote their own stories. The second graders had to illustrate the high school stories and vice versa. It was a tremendous success. (RM)

This study tests four hypotheses based on the extant literature: (1) African Americans, women, students who work more than 20 hours per week, and students older than 22 will have higher levels of satisfaction at community colleges than at universities; (2) Social and cultural experience will have a larger impact on satisfaction at universities…

Provides a strategy to enhance student understanding of the ambience of a decade by having them research the relationship between events of the 1970s; society's attitudes; and the country's mood in general. Student groups prepare and present research papers, which are used as discussion topics. (LS)

This article aims to develop understanding of the impact of the experiences of the queer learner and teacher upon their need for safe spaces within adult education. From the perspective of learning and teaching within science, I discuss the relations between the perceived relevance of queer issues in the "classroom" and the distance of the…

In this paper the relations established through the work placement component of the Bridging the Solitudes project are viewed as a way of fostering the formation and re-formation of the occupational and civic identities of these marginalized students. Their experiences are examined in the larger context of the youth labour market. (Contains 1…

This report summarizes the proceedings of a conference, "Leading the Way: Partners in Volunteerism," that brought together 170 educators, nonprofit organizations, and students to promote youth volunteerism. In a series of plenary sessions and workshops, attendees discussed the issues that have an impact on the creation and operation of…

This report examines the racial climate on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus and makes a series of recommendations for improvements in several areas. It reveals evidence of racial and other problems on the MIT campus through information gained in two surveys: The 1984 Quality of Student Life Survey, and the 1985 Black Alumni…