This study explores the utility of the theory of planned behavior for understanding and predicting the behavioral intentions of secondary science students. Data were collected from secondary science students enrolling in earth science (8th grade), biology (9th grade), physical science (10th grade), or chemistry (11th grade). Cause-effect relations…

This booklet is a self-help guide for students to help them think about some of the questions they need to ask themselves before they enter senior high school; consider what courses they will take to earn a high school diploma; and identify the wide range of opportunities that are available to them in senior high school. The first section,…

Data were collected from grades 3 to 8 students (N=377) in order to identify the determinants of their intentions to perform laboratory and non-laboratory science activities. Fishbein and Ajzen's Theory of Reasoned Action was used as the basis for the study. The theory posits that the immediate determinant of behavior is intention. Intention is…

Summarizes a study of five journalism programs, which indicates that students are rejecting news-editorial sequences because of negative perceptions of what newspaper professions have to offer. States that journalism educators need to concentrate on students' desire to work in a profession that allows for creative expression. (MM)

Small Learning Communities (SLCs) and Career Academies, one variety of SLC, have grown rapidly in recent years. They are among the few high school reform approaches that seem promising and popular, bringing students together into cohorts where they support each other, teachers into teams where they do the same, and students and teachers into…

This study tested the hypothesis that the academic development services offered by the University of California (UC) through the Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) result in more students completing the UC preparatory coursework, the first hurdle to being eligible to apply and be admitted to UC. The study analyzed the course-taking behavior of…

The hypothesis of this study was that student course-taking on the block schedules contributes to the comprehensive nature of the high school and the differentiated curriculum. Because of the shift of time associated with the block schedule, it was hypothesized that students would spend significantly less time studying the core academic…

Reports on a study examining subject choice for 16-year-old students (N=1,048) in New South Wales schools. Findings suggest that many adolescents do not seek or do not access the information needed for rational decision-making. Adolescents can, however, differentiate among information sources on the basis of the information's usefulness. (RJM)

How the organization of U.S. high school mathematics curriculum affects how much students learn was studied with data from 123 schools in the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Results indicate that students learn more in schools that offer a narrow curriculum of mostly academic courses. (SLD)

Australia's new national course database OZJAC (Job and Career Explorer) is a directory of information on postsecondary education and training in over 10,000 courses and data on over 600 types of jobs. It is the culmination of 10 years of development of a national information system. (SK)

Discusses the possibility that changing the arrangement of computer courses from association with technical and mathematical subjects to a broader course based on social subjects and arts will lead to an increase in the proportion of women studying and working in the computer field. (Author/YP)

Advanced-level students aged 16-19 in Britain (n=209) were asked reasons for choosing A-level subjects, their career aspirations, and the advice they sought/received. Despite the fact that girls were overall significantly better qualified than boys, they were relatively lacking in confidence, especially in the sciences, and felt they needed more…

Reports the outcomes of student focus groups to determine students' perceptions and expectations of general education and their reasons for choosing particular courses and study methods. Indicates that students' prospective major affects their views about the purposes of general education. (DMM)

Presents a study of students' preferences regarding teachers. Reports that students selected psychology courses taught by instructors possessing stereotypically male, female, or androgynous characteristics. Concludes that students preferred courses taught by those with "feminine" or androgynous characteristics over those possessing…

A survey of 65 Liverpool University students received 24 replies indicating (1) which core adult education modules they considered essential; (2) their reasons for choosing modules (primarily interest and relevance); and (3) constraints on module choice, particularly for part-time students. Issues regarding whether core modules should be…