Analyzes a nationwide graduate student survey to examine the influence of social class, sex, race, undergraduate achievement, and rank of undergraduate institution attended on rank or prestige of their graduate school. The results represent a contradictory picture of stratification in the academic hierarchy and reflect specific mechanisms that…

Examination of measures used to predict the academic success of elementary education majors indicated that Scholastic Aptitude Test scores were valid predictors of school success. is noted that high school rank appeared to predict grades and took both ability and motivation into account. (CB)

Results of a study involving over 800 secondary schools; data presented in tables. (SP)

As a result of faculty discussion and study in 1977, Scarsdale High School discontinued the practice of reporting numerical class rank to colleges, and began to report rank by decile. The practice of reporting rank-in-class information to colleges was abolished after a survey of colleges. (MLW)

Presents a new edition (moderately revised in response to survey results) of the guidelines prepared by the National Association of Secondary School Principals' School-College Relations Committee to help secondary schools cope with issues generated by college use of class rankings and grade point averages when evaluating candidates for admission.…

Results of two surveys completed by scholarship recipients revealed that ACT scores and class ranking were important predictor variables for success in college. This study also showed a strong correlation between high school grade point average and freshman grade point average. (MKA)

A major problem for large-enrollment, introductory college courses in natural resources and life sciences is poor attendance. To ameliorate this problem, we designed a hybrid course (part online, part face-to-face) to incorporate the advantages of online learning while retaining benefits of face-to-face instruction. We taught a hybrid introductory…

The effects of various college preparation programs, class ranking, and student background characteristics on college retention were studied. The data were obtained from the National Education Longitudinal Study:1988-2000 and NELS:88/2000 Postsecondary Education Transcript Study. The sample contained 4,445 first-time freshmen students who enrolled…

This paper addresses how institutional selectivity influences college preferences and enrollment decisions of Texas seniors in the presence of a putatively race-neutral admissions policy--the top 10% law. We analyze a representative survey of Texas high school seniors as of spring, 2002, who were re-interviewed 1 year later to evaluate differences…

This study examines predictors of academic success in a private women's college. We investigated academic factors (e.g., high school grade point average, standardized test scores) and socioeconomic status (e.g., parents' occupation, need for financial aid) as possible predictors of academic success among White and non-White students. Data was…

The influence of financial aid on college student persistence was studied using causal modeling. The study population was 227 full-time freshmen, who enrolled in fall 1982 at a liberal arts college at a large commuter institution. All the students received financial aid. The model, which included background and academic variables, accounted for…

The advantages and disadvantages of two common grading methods are presented, and from an analysis of the virtues and vices of these prototypic methods, a set of goals or criteria for grading systems is derived. Percentage and class-curve grading systems are discussed in detail. Criteria for grading systems include the following: obtain relevant…

Compared with data from civilian institutions, data from two graduating classes at the United States Military Academy showed extrordinary stability of independently calculated grade point averages from freshman to senior years and no decline in the validity of Scholastic Aptitude Tests and high school class rank as predictors of these GPAs over…

Analysis of the effects of social class, sex, race, and undergraduate grade-point average on rank and status in graduate professional schools indicated that differences do exist in ranking or attendance at professional schools, based on gender, race, previous rank at undergraduate school, and social status. (CB)