In order to gather current data about the General Educational Development (GED) program at Seminole Community College (SCC), Florida, a random sample of 1982 GED examinees were surveyed to determine the examinees' assessment of the quality of instruction, course materials, and learning laboratories at SCC; the center(s) used most often and for…

In fall 1982, a study was conducted in the Peralta Community College District (PCCD) using withdrawal and grade distribution data to analyze student retention patterns. Successful retention rates were based on the percentage of students who received a passing grade, while total retention rates were based on the percentage of students who received…

The author encountered many obstacles to Papua New Guinea's transformation from a subsistence to a cash economy during two months' field work: the people's conservatism, lack of confidence, indifference to cash, and deep commitment to tradition. These, and "subsistence affluence," warn against hastily exposing the people to inflation's…

Various approaches for making functional literacy programs available and for making information available to the illiterate are briefly presented. (AG)

The author describes an Indonesian program for village development: graduate students in any discipline at State universities must spend six months working at community development in a village in order to receive their master's degrees. Results have been varied; the author raises several questions and warns against unexpected negative results.…

Reviewing the activities of the Literacy Corps in Iran, the article examines the national service organization which has done much to combat illiteracy in rural areas and lower the national rate of illiteracy. (MW)

A discussion of regional community development through self-help programs in rural developing areas presents the need for a diversified system of institutions to ensure a developmental process based on qualitative rather than quantitative criteria. Available from: Editorial and Business Offices, Piazza Cavalieri di Malta, 2, 00153 Rome, Italy. (EA)

Many of the 56 school districts of Nassau County in New York State offer programs to support youth-at-risk. The programs are diverse, and they vary across districts in availability, effectiveness, and perceived need. This study sought to determine availability, effectiveness, and perceived need of programs which provide at-risk youth with academic…

Business statistics is a required course for business and management majors and a prerequisite for advanced courses at the University of Maryland College Park. According to university records, typically 23% of the students enrolled for the course withdraw. The Counseling Center's Learning Assistance Service has a series of 16 45-minute…

An integrated system of academic and vocational-technical education is vital to the well-being of students and the nation. Approaches to integrated programs include requiring more academic coursework of vocational students; including academic skills in vocational courses; and integrating the entire high school. Key activities for successful…

The retention of African-American students on college campuses is examined in this study conducted at Oberlin College, Ohio, a school which has been fairly successful in retaining African-American students over the past 20 years. The study addressed the needs of African-American students by looking at the college's institutional symbols. In…

Although grade repetition is prevalent in U.S. schools, recent research indicates that this practice does not work as intended to ensure basic skills mastery, avoid failure at higher grade levels, or lower dropout rates. This report, based on "Flunking Grades: Research and Policies on Retention" (London: Falmer, 1989), edited by Lorrie A. Shepard…

This state master plan provides a structure to facilitate the development of an appropriate and effective education system for all students in Utah, including those at risk of dropping out and of failing to achieve literacy. The challenges of ensuring an appropriate and effective education for each student are significant, numerous, and complex;…

This study examined academic growth of high school age Hispanics as compared with that of non-Hispanic Whites and Blacks. It explored the following issues: (1) academic growth between the sophomore and senior years; (2) the courses the students take while in high school; and (3) the relationship of schooling and student characteristics to academic…