This study is the first of its kind to concentrate upon the views of secondary staff towards attendance issues within two distinct, but similarly-sized, authorities in England. The fieldwork was sponsored by the two authorities in accordance with their specific needs and conducted in 2003. As part of this fieldwork, 40 headteachers, deputy heads,…

This article highlights the importance of considering the flow of newcomers into church life and the inadequacy of relying solely upon changes in numbers of attenders in assessing the effectiveness of churches. Drawing upon data collected in four countries, Australia, England, New Zealand and the United States of America, this article looks at the…

This article reports a short-term longitudinal study focusing on popularity and social acceptance as predictors of academic engagement for a sample of 342 adolescents (approximate average age of 14). These youths were followed for 4 consecutive semesters. Popularity, social acceptance, and aggression were assessed with a peer nomination …

This research compares a behaviorally based approach for using electronic student response system (SRS) technology with a metacognitive-oriented approach to determine effects on attendance, preparation for class, and achievement. Also examined are the interaction effects of pedagogical approach with self-regulatory and motivational characteristics…

The 2005-2008 Australian National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy identifies young people as a key target group in need of sexual health education, screening and management. For young people who are in contact with the New South Wales (NSW) juvenile justice system, a dire need for remedial sexual health education exists. NSW young…

This research examined the level of equity of the public school funding system in Texas that in September of 2004 was held to be unconstitutional by a state district judge. The study also introduces a mechanism, referred to as the Revenue-to-Population Index or RTP Index, which compares funding equity within the unconstitutional system among 1031…

We tested five course designs that varied in the structure of daily and weekly active-learning exercises in an attempt to lower the traditionally high failure rate in a gateway course for biology majors. Students were given daily multiple-choice questions and answered with electronic response devices (clickers) or cards. Card responses were…

The School District of Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) conducted a study to determine whether full-day kindergarten (FDK), in comparison with half-day kindergarten (HDK), produced positive effects on student attendance and achievement. Research questions concerned differences between full- and half-day kindergarten programs regarding attendance…

Historically, kindergartens began as full-day programs, but during World War II the shortage of teachers and building space and the increased birth rate produced a cutback to half-day kindergartens. Full-day kindergartens surfaced again during the 1960's and 1970's. Many contemporary studies report significant results in favor of full-day…

This paper considered the popularity of museums, particularly art museums, and the problems that accompany such attention. It described, further, what the art museum is, what it does, and what it can and cannot do. (Author/RK)

The absenteeism of 252 mainstreamed learning disabled (LD) elementary and high school students was examined over 4 consecutive years for elementary Ss and 3 1/2 years for secondary Ss. Orthogonal polynomial analysis was used to find the relationship between absenteeism and time as measured in school semesters. In general, analyses indicated the…

THIS SERIES OF FOUR SURVEYS DESCRIBES SUBSEQUENT ATTENDANCE PATTERNS OF FRESHMEN WHO ENROLLED IN THE FALL 1958 AND 1962 CLASSES AT THE EIGHT 2-YEAR CENTERS OF WISCONSIN UNIVERSITY. THESE CENTERS ARE A SEPARATE UNIT OF THE UNIVERSITY, RESPONSIBLE TO THE CHANCELLOR OF THE CENTER SYSTEM, WHO IN TURN REPORTS TO THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT. THE MAY 1966…

This report contains statistical data on absentee and withdrawal rates for the Eugene (Oregon) School District 4J. Included are data showing attendance patterns, as well as descriptions of coding practices for all elementary, junior high, and senior high schools in the district. The data, displayed in numerical tables, show that absentee and…

Changing from a rather extensive medical excuse system to a policy of issuing no excuses whatever has produced no short- or long-term difficulties associated with medical staff, students, faculty, or administration. (JD)