Considers whether learning communities in journalism and mass communications programs make a difference in helping students make the transition from high school to college. Concludes that in practice, a learning community's holistic approach that integrates social and academic aspects of student life provides a support system necessary for many…

A pivotal point for students is the transition from middle school to high school. Students will decide during the first few weeks of their freshman year if they intend to continue their high school education (Hertzog & Morgan, 1999). This article provides the reader with the research surrounding this transition year, programs and practices…

Because ninth grade is such a tough year for many students, some school districts have created special academies or other programs to provide special attention to students in the first year of high school. Studies show that ninth-graders have the most discipline incidents and retentions, and are most likely to drop out. In this paper, the author…

College graduates and employers alike have expressed dissatisfaction with the tack of job competencies of new graduates. Both groups suggest that institutions of higher education must do a better job of preparing their students to meet workplace challenges. The author describes the problem and presents a model that is delivered via distance…

After reviewing results from the Nation's Report Card in Writing, this article presents data from a survey of Latino students, the largest ethnic group of students at Northeastern Illinois University. These data suggest that the Hispanic students at Northeastern are similar to their national Hispanic peers in several ways, such as the levels of…

Educational practices focus on institutional structure, be it high school or college. No matter how closely the career education with business and industry, that is not enough. The career path for the student should begin in high school and seamlessly continue through college. In this article, the author discusses how this could become possible.…

The transition to kindergarten can be difficult for both parents and children. Teachers, administrators and community providers can help ease this process by developing effective transition programs and materials for families in anticipation of the school year. However, such resources are often time-consuming and costly. To offer a solution, a…

The changing perspectives of mental retardation require the use of assessment techniques that reveal strengths and weaknesses in the individual's present level of functioning and highlight the areas and intensity of needed supports. Portfolios provide such a method of assessment because they are sensitive to small improvements in functioning,…

"Transition Mathematics" aims to increase 7th- through 12th-grade students' skills in applied arithmetic, pre-algebra, and pre-geometry. This one-year curriculum also addresses general application to different wordings of problems, types of numbers, and contexts for problems and aims to promote mathematical reading skills. The curriculum…

A college education is becoming more and more of a necessity in today's competitive economy: ninety percent of the fastest-growing jobs require postsecondary education or training. U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings has called on states, institutions and the federal government to work together to carry out the recommendations of "A…

Research indicates that academic achievement from middle school to high school decreases while behavior problems, suspensions and expulsions increase early in ninth grade. Hertzog and Morgan found in their research in Georgia and Florida, that those high schools that just did building tours and meetings with school counselors for strictly…

According to Tinto (1993), more students leave college than graduate, especially at the community college level. Much of the blame for this attrition has been attributed to a lack of adequate preparation for college-level courses. Consequently, many colleges must provide remedial programs despite the objections of opponents of remediation who…

This article explores self management in professional work in the context of a shift from traditional professionalism to forms of governance where functions and responsibilities previously attributable to the professional communities are "insourced" to the individual worker. Drawing on data from an interview study among recently educated…

School personnel are mandated to provide transition planning services to students with disabilities as they prepare for postsecondary activities. A variety of student skill and knowledge areas have been recommended as important during this process. Students with disabilities encounter a variety of additional transitions throughout their schooling,…

To investigate issues in transition to kindergarten for children with special needs, we explored several sources of information (peer-reviewed literature, government websites, parent surveys, and interviews with professionals). We found that administrative issues like lack of integration and the evaluation of services available to children and…