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Descriptors:
Females; Majors (Students); Academic Persistence; Science Education; Role of Religion; Teacher Educators; Hispanic American Students; African American Students; Disproportionate Representation; Student Attitudes; Career Choice; Science Careers; Religious Factors; Beliefs; Minority Group Students

Abstract:
This study explores the influence of religion as a support factor for a group of Latina and African-American women majoring in science. The current project is a part of a larger study that investigated persistence factors of underrepresented woman who were enrolled as science majors at United States colleges and universities. This paper focuses on one theme that emerged among six participants who disclosed how religion was a significant influence on their persistence in science fields. The strength and support offered by religious values is certainly not specific to science content; however, the support received from their beliefs highlights a potential area for further exploration. Given the importance of increasing participation by students from diverse backgrounds into science fields, it is critical to recognize how some of these differences may be the key factors influencing the way these students look at the world. This study offers evidence that science educators need to consider what role religious beliefs have for students who may be considering science or science education as a future career, particularly for those students from underrepresented groups. Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Talent; Majors (Students); Self Efficacy; Engineering; Biology; Computer Science; Women Scientists; Gender Differences; Comparative Analysis; STEM Education; Academic Achievement; Science Careers; Cohort Analysis; Graduate Surveys; Student Interests; Family Work Relationship; Likert Scales; College Entrance Examinations; Graduate Study; Females

Abstract:
In previous decades, researchers have identified a gender gap in the careers and academic achievement of men and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Recently, it has been suggested that some of these gender gaps no longer exist; however, the picture is more nuanced, for women are represented well in some STEM fields (such as biology) and not in others (such as computer science). The current research employed survey methodology to explore the perceptions of 360 finalists and semifinalists of the prestigious Science Talent Search. Two cohorts of participants who were either in their late 30s (Cohort 2) or late 20s (Cohort 1) were contacted to investigate factors that influenced them to select or not select STEM college majors and occupations. Comparisons between men and women revealed that women recalled having lower self-efficacy in STEM in college than men, and fewer women selected STEM majors as undergraduates. Interest was cited as a major influence for occupational selection for both men and women. Proportionally, more women than men entered fields such as biology and fewer women entered fields such as engineering and physics/astronomy. A greater proportion of older women mentioned leaving STEM because of a lack of flexible hours and needing to attend to family responsibilities. Implications for education and future research are discussed. (Contains 9 tables and 2 figures.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Mathematical Logic; Validity; Majors (Students); Undergraduate Students; Algebra; Geometry; Number Concepts; College Mathematics; Logical Thinking; Preservice Teachers; Secondary School Mathematics

Abstract:
Validating proofs and counterexamples across content domains is considered vital practices for undergraduate students to advance their mathematical reasoning and knowledge. To date, not enough is known about the ways mathematics majors determine the validity of arguments in the domains of algebra, analysis, geometry, and number theory--the domains that are central to many mathematics courses. This study reported how 16 mathematics majors, including eight specializing in secondary mathematics education, who had completed more proof-based courses than transition-to-proof classes evaluated various arguments. The results suggest that the students use one of the following strategies in proof and counterexample validation: (1) examination of the argument's structure and (2) line-by-line checking with informal deductive reasoning, example-based reasoning, experience-based reasoning, and informal deductive and example-based reasoning. Most students tended to examine all steps of the argument with informal deductive reasoning across various tasks, suggesting that this approach might be problem dependent. Even though all participating students had taken more proof-related mathematics courses, it is surprising that many of them did not recognize global-structure or line-by-line content-based flaws presented in the argument. (Contains 6 tables.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Mathematics; Course Selection (Students); Gender Differences; Ethnic Diversity; STEM Education; Longitudinal Studies; Racial Differences; Advanced Courses; Performance Factors; Academic Achievement; High School Students; Majors (Students); Achievement Gap; Predictor Variables; Academic Records; Data Analysis; Statistical Analysis; Educational Trends; School Effectiveness; Institutional Characteristics; Achievement Need; Individual Differences

Abstract:
In 2004, the pattern in academic pathways for high school students in the USA showed that students were completing more demanding mathematics courses. Despite the upward pattern in advanced-level mathematics course-taking, disparities among racial/ethnic groups persisted between 1982 and 2004. Using data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS: 2002; Ingels et al., 2007), the current study sought to advance understanding of gender and ethnic differences in advanced mathematics course-taking. Furthermore, this study examined how the differences are related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pathways in college. Results showed that the relationships between exploratory factors (both individual- and school-level factors) and advanced mathematics course-taking and STEM choices differed across ethnicity and gender. This highlights the need for further research that disaggregates data by both ethnicity and gender. (Contains 3 tables and 2 figures.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Majors (Students); Career Guidance; Young Adults; Decision Making; Comparative Analysis; Higher Education; Evaluation; Careers; Career Choice; Course Selection (Students); Career Counseling; Foreign Countries; Predictor Variables

Abstract:
A sample of 182 young adults about to choose their college major were randomly assigned to 2 guidance methods aimed at facilitating choosing among promising career alternatives: Table-for-Choice and Circles-for-Choice. Table-for-Choice was perceived as more effective, but individuals' confidence in their choice was higher in the Circles-for-Choice condition. More factors that serve to compare and evaluate the options were listed by participants in the Circles-for-Choice condition. No interaction emerged between the participant's decision-making style and the usefulness of the two methods. Both methods were perceived as more useful for participants who were already at the choice stage than for those who were only at the prescreening or the in-depth explorations stage. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Music Education; Music; Musical Instruments; Undergraduate Students; Majors (Students); Statistical Analysis; Musical Composition; Intervals; Musicians; Rock Music; Higher Education; Undergraduate Study

Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the tonal perception and restoration of thirds within power chords with the instruments and sounds idiosyncratic to the Western rock/pop genre. Four separate chord sequences were performed on electric guitar in four versions; as full chord and power chord versions as well as under both clean-tone and distortion effect versions. Undergraduate music majors (N = 50) listened to all 16 chord progressions and rated their perception of the tonality ("majorness" or "minorness") in the terminal chord for each sequence, utilizing a 7-point semantic differential scale ranging from minor (1) to major (7) with a neutral indicator located in the middle (4). Participants had completed a mean 3.82 (SD = 0.66) semesters of ear training and 28 indicated they played the guitar. A three-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences between responses for chord sequences (1-4), as well as a significant interaction between chord sequences, distortion (clean versus distortion), and type of chords in the progression (whole chords versus power chords). Further analysis of data indicated that participants tended to perceive terminal power chords as major, especially when progressions were comprised of power chords and contained distortion. (Contains 1 table and 1 figure.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Foreign Countries; Language Research; Phonology; Native Speakers; Japanese; English (Second Language); College Students; English; Majors (Students); Word Recognition; Language Processing; Task Analysis; Semantics; Decision Making; Reaction Time; Listening Skills; Cognitive Processes; Listening Comprehension; Language Proficiency

Abstract:
This study investigated the application of the speeded lexical decision task to L2 aural processing efficiency. One-hundred and twenty Japanese university students completed an aural word/nonword task. When the variation of lexical decision time (CV) was correlated with reaction time (RT), the results suggested that the single-word recognition task could be successfully applied to the L2 aural modality. However, when CV and RT were correlated with L2 listening ability, a statistically significant relationship was not found. It was concluded that the single-word word recognition task might not be suited to measuring L2 aural word recognition efficiency. (Contains 1 table.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
Higher Education; Dropout Research; Dropouts; Foreign Countries; School Holding Power; Academic Persistence; Student Attitudes; Semi Structured Interviews; Majors (Students); Family Influence; Social Integration; Teacher Student Relationship; Educational Environment; Employment Opportunities

Abstract:
The purpose of this article is to investigate student perceptions of college departure in three state universities in Turkey. Since the beginning of the 1990s, higher Education System in Turkey went through a massification of higher education. The rapid growth brought enrollment and dropout issues in the system. A total of 58 participants were included in the qualitative study. Of the 58 participants, 35 students were later enrolled at various other programs. Twenty-three students did not drop out. Results indicated that student retention has been an uncharted territory in Turkey. High levels of dropouts lead to inefficiencies in the higher education system. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
College Graduates; Underemployment; Employment Patterns; Labor Utilization; Unskilled Workers; Labor Market; Education Work Relationship; Educational Attainment; Salary Wage Differentials; Majors (Students); Cost Effectiveness; Human Capital; Labor Supply; Enrollment Trends

Abstract:
Increasing numbers of recent college graduates are ending up in relatively low-skilled jobs that, historically, have gone to those with lower levels of educational attainment. This study examines this phenomenon in some detail, concluding: (1) About 48 percent of employed U.S. college graduates are in jobs that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggests requires less than a four-year college education; (2) The proportion of overeducated workers in occupations appears to have grown substantially; in 1970, fewer than one percent of taxi drivers and two percent of firefighters had college degrees, while now more than 15 percent do in both jobs; (3) About five million college graduates are in jobs the BLS says require less than a high-school education; (4) Comparing average college and high-school earnings is highly misleading as a guide for vocational success, given high college-dropout rates and the fact that overproduction of college graduates lowers recent graduate earnings relative to those graduating earlier; (5) Not all colleges are equal: Typical graduates of elite private schools make more than graduates of flagship state universities, but those graduates do much better than those attending relatively non-selective institutions; (6) Not all majors are equal: Engineering and economics graduates, for example, typically earn almost double what social work and education graduates receive by mid-career; (7) Past and projected future growth in college enrollments and the number of graduates exceeds the actual or projected growth in high-skilled jobs, explaining the development of the underemployment problem and its probable worsening in future years; and (8) Rising college costs and perceived declines in economic benefits may well lead to declining enrollments and market share for traditional schools and the development of new methods of certifying occupation competence. (Contains 12 figures, 4 tables, and 65 notes.) [This paper was written with the assistance of Anthony Hennen, Harrison Cummins, Daniel Garrett, Joseph Hartge, and Nicholas Wetzel.] Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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Descriptors:
College Freshmen; Remedial Instruction; Enrollment; College Readiness; Public Colleges; Private Colleges; Two Year Colleges; Selective Admission; Student Characteristics; Majors (Students); Associate Degrees; Bachelors Degrees; Differences

Abstract:
A primary goal of the U.S. Department of Education's Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Blueprint for Reform is to improve the college readiness of high school graduates (U.S. Department of Education 2010). College readiness is a complex benchmark and has been measured in several ways, including transcript analysis (Adelman 2006) and standardized test scores (ACT 2005). One such measure, and the focus of this Statistics in Brief, is remedial coursework enrollment. Consistent with earlier NCES publications, this brief defines remedial courses as courses for students lacking skills necessary to perform college-level work at the degree of rigor required by the institution (Parsad and Lewis 2003). At the start of their college careers, students who are not sufficiently prepared to complete entry-level courses are often encouraged or required to take developmental or remedial courses. Results from previous surveys conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) that collected data on the percentage of students enrolled in remedial coursework found that 28 percent of first-year students who entered 2- or 4-year degree-granting postsecondary institutions were enrolled in remedial courses in both 1995 and 2000 (Parsad and Lewis 2003). Given evidence of stable remediation rates during the late-1990s, and the current education reform context that seeks to reduce remediation in college, this Statistics in Brief provides descriptive data on the frequency of self-reported enrollment in remedial courses within and across three time points, 1999-2000, 2003-04, and 2007-08. The purpose of the brief is to update the available evidence regarding self-reported student remediation and provide descriptive information as context for policy discussions. This Statistics in Brief uses data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) to examine the incidence of remedial coursetaking between the 1999-2000, 2003-04, and 2007-08 academic years. Specifically, this brief examines the percentages of first-year undergraduate students enrolled in institutions of higher education (IHE) who reported taking remedial courses in the 1999-2000, 2003-04, and 2007-08 academic years, by institutional characteristics, such as institutional control (public or private), level (2-year or 4-year) and selectivity. For students who attended public institutions, the brief examines enrollment characteristics, such as undergraduate degree program and field of study; and student characteristics, such as sex, race/ethnicity, age, parents' education, and dependency status. NPSAS is a nationally representative survey of all postsecondary students enrolled in Title IV institutions. Standard Error Tables are appended. (Contains 6 tables, 1 figure and 10 footnotes.) Note:The following two links are not-applicable for text-based browsers or screen-reading software. Show Hide Full Abstract

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