In spring 1987, a study was conducted at Johnson County Community College (JCCC) to ascertain student preferences for courses which fulfilled a set of new degree requirements and to develop a broader understanding of factors affecting class selection decisions. A representative sample of JCCC students attending 32 classes was surveyed in class…

Longitudinal studies such as LSAY (Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth) give a clear picture of what young people are up to at any point in time and of the pathways they took to get there. The capacity to follow the same young people over time means that factors influencing their pathways and outcomes can be identified, and changes in the…

This student interest survey was conducted in Spring 2003 by Glendale Community College North (GCCN), Arizona. The purpose of the survey was to determine student preference for courses, course times and frequencies, and for other college student services they might need and want. In addition, an attempt was made to uncover any enrollment obstacles…

This analysis focuses on school offerings and practices that limit or increase the course work taken by particular groups of students. The National Commission on Excellence in Education has recommended minimal requirements for high school graduation consisting of 4 years of English, 3 years of mathematics, science, and social studies, and one-half…

A large virtual university, a participant in a major distance study, is tracking students' enrollment in online or both online and face-to-face classes (i.e., mixed). Although an online students' profile provides data for examining the digital divide, one-time snapshots are inadequate. Time must be included as a dimension of any analysis of…

The Hartford Public Schools (Connecticut) received a Comprehensive Partnerships for Minority Student Achievement (CPMSA) grant from the National Science Foundation. In the first year of the grant, four schools (two elementary, one middle, and one high school) were identified for CPMSA activities. The CPMSA goal was to develop systemic approaches…

Pre- and post-course surveys of faculty and students participating in 8-week format courses at Austin Community College (ACC) in fall 1998 yielded the following recommendations: (1) offer more 8-week classes at more locations and class times; (2) build in class meetings to compensate for any time lost to holidays; (3) piggy-back, in the first and…

This study examines the course shopping behaviors of approximately 5,000 community college students enrolled across the nine campuses of the Los Angeles Community College District in spring 2001. The sample students are representative of the district. For the purpose of this analysis, the authors define course shopping as: (1) cyclic shopping, the…

This study examines and analyzes the impact of mandatory enforced skill prerequisites on student enrollment patterns and course performance outcomes in the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD). This investigation uses a comparative framework that includes data from two semesters to assess the impact of the prerequisite policy. The…

This study is based upon responses to questionnaires sent in December 1956 to chairmen of departments of anthropology, economics, history, political science, and sociology in a sample of 319 institutions of higher education. The survey just completed provides the first data ever assembled on a large scale of social science requirements for…

Briefly reviews the syndrome in which medical students begin to take on the symptoms of their patients. Discovers that, although studying psychological disorders decreased students' anxiety about their own mental health, it increased their concern regarding family members. These students also are more likely to seek psychological treatment. (MJP)

Briefly reviews the declining enrollment rates for undergraduate economics majors. Observes that after record enrollments during the 1980s, interest in a bachelor's economics degree dropped sharply in the 1990s. Discusses possible reasons for this decline and provides statistics. (MJP)

Postulates five reasons for declining undergraduate enrollment in economics including corresponding decline in business enrollment; slowdown in financial services; competition from other subjects; decline in student academic skills; and a decline in faculty teaching skills. Discusses strengths and weaknesses of each argument. (MJP)

Reviews evidence in support of the primacy of the personal relevance orientation in science education. Provides a quick review of four other orientations and their shortcomings for curriculum planning. Orientation reviews focus on: (1) the development of cognitive processes; (2) social adaptation and reconstruction; (3) academic rationalism; and…

Research into student attrition in college science education has identified fundamental differences between the way students in the physical sciences are taught and the way students in the social sciences or humanities are taught. Implications for academic advising include having advisors attend science classes and informing science faculty about…