Sociologists have long used educational expectations to understand the complex mental processes underlying individuals' educational decision making. Yet, little research evaluates how students actually formulate their educational expectations. Status attainment theory asserts that students adopt their educational expectations early based on family…

Context for the application and specialization of a Bayesian linear model is m-group regression and the application to the prediction of grade point average. Specialization involves the assumption of homogeneity of regression coefficients (but not intercepts) across groups. Model's predictive efficiency is compared with that of the full m-group…

Two methods of using collateral information from similar institutions to predict college freshman grade average were investigated. One central prediction model, referred to as pooled least squares with adjusted intercepts, assumes that slopes and residual variances are homogeneous across selected colleges. The second model, referred to as Bayesian…

Bayesian data analytic procedures were used to assess the effects of a new undergraudate advising program designed to focus on students who do not initially declare a major field of study. Past research has shown that these students tend to graduate at a low rate, relative to those who do declare majors. It was hypothesized that these students…

The validity of American College Testing Program (ACT) test scores and self-reported high school grades for predicting grades in specific college freshman courses was studied. Specific course grades are typically used to place students in remedial, standard, or advanced classes. These placement decisions, in turn, have immediate implications for…