A study of 308 communications professionals in south Florida investigated interest in graduate programs, both formal degree programs and professional continuing education. Results indicate the primary reason for enrollment in a formal degree program is not economic but perceived benefit to the employer. More minority group members wanted formal…

A study examined characteristics of 40 women, 20 educationally ambitious Chicanas (receiving doctorates in the 1970s-early 1980s) and 20 receiving doctorates in the late 1980s-early 1990s. A control group of males was also studied. Differences and similarities in the two groups are noted, and the effects of tracking and mentoring are discussed.…

Examines influence of various organizational constraints on nature of secondary school academic track decisions, which are categorized on basis of difference between actual and predicted program enrollment. Discusses factors such as who makes demands for an academic track, who controls the tracking process, what principals expect, degree of…

Describes a study of the college-related experiences of 1980 high school graduates who enrolled full time at one of six San Francisco area community colleges in fall 1980 and were still enrolled at the same college in fall 1984. Reports that 28 percent were concurrently enrolled in a four-year college. (PAA)

Focuses on the academic decision making of several female African Americans in a rural southern (primarily African-American) town by considering their personal school experiences and their interpretations of the value of education in their community contexts. Preliminary findings show many contradictions between educational beliefs and actual…

A survey of 285 high school seniors in six rural Pennsylvania schools found that student plans to attend postsecondary education were strongly influenced by parents' educational attainment and somewhat influenced by sibling educational attainment. Family financial situation was not a factor in student choice of postsecondary educational options.…

Examines the effects of the weakening of Russian educational standards on the quality of higher education and its applicants. Maintains that loosening the standards for competitive examinations has forced the higher education institutions to develop a system of college preparation and to institute concessions on enrollment. (MJP)

Discusses the results of a survey of graduate students concerning their motivation for pursuing a scientific career. Concludes that while the predominant motive for most young scientists is the value of the work, many issues such as the conditions in the workplace and the organization of research hinder this task. (MJP)

A survey of 1,499 graduate business students at 7 colleges and universities investigated perceptions of potential benefits of an advanced degree, and their relationships with degree type, school size/type, and student characteristics. Five perceived benefits included research and analytical skills, competitive advantage, monetary reward, career…

A qualitative study of attitudes of African American high school students on the economic aspects of the decision to attend or not attend college concluded that these students factored in both the expected costs and any future earnings, recognizing both the job market limitations faced by African Americans and their personal desires for wealth.…

In this study we investigated above-average high school calculus students from Japan and the United States in order to determine any differences in their conceptual understanding of calculus and their ability to use algebra to solve traditional calculus problems. We examined and interviewed 18 Calculus BC students in the United States and 26…

Predictors of parental school involvement were examined within a sample of 159 economically disadvantaged, African American parents living in an urban setting. School involvement was defined in terms of parent activity within the school. Parent demographics, attitudes about education, and community engagement behaviors as well as parent…

Current figures (CILT, 2005) indicate that, whilst the numbers of students taking post-16 modern foreign language public examinations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have declined overall between 2000 and 2004, one of the biggest drops is for German, which has experienced a steady year-on-year decline over the same period at the full A…

An ethnographic study examined the attitudes of Chinese American families toward success in school and learning. The first cohort of 5 families stayed in the study for 3 years, while the second cohort of 5 families stayed for 2 years. All the first cohort children and two from the second cohort were from the same Boston (Massachusetts) school. The…

Students in New Mexico may take either the American College Test Assessment (ACT) or the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), although New Mexico students usually take the ACT. Results from both examinations are presented in this report, based on seniors expected to graduate. Overall, New Mexico and national composite scores have remained steady on the…