Sixty-eight undergraduates listed the factors they consider when choosing courses, majors, careers, friends, romantic partners, and lifelong partners. Subjects provided their own definitions of commitment in an unstructured essay. Subjects listed more factors, more distinct types of factors, and more original factors for interpersonal commitments…

Describes a six-week, six-credit, field-based physical and historical geology course offered by Lehigh University (Pennsylvania) in conjunction with its standard summer field studies program. Stresses the advantages of integrating physical and historical geology concepts in a field setting. (TW)

In fall 1995, a study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness, according to student perception, of the educational planning system of the San Diego Community College District (California). Of the 26,753 students who enrolled via the district's telephone registration system that fall, 6,937 answered at least one question on an optional survey…

This study investigated changes between 1987 and 1996 in the proportions of ACT-tested students taking or planning to take high school mathematics and science courses prior to high school graduation. The changes in course-taking patterns among racial/ethnic and gender subgroups were also compared. The seven courses studied were Algebra II,…

This study compared reasons college students gave for choosing either "distance learning" or "traditional" courses in wellness and physical education. Students at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, who were enrolled in either traditional (n=195) or distance learning (n=100) wellness and physical education curricula,…

Going to college or getting a higher education means getting any type of education or career training after graduating from high school. It takes planning and money to get a higher education. This guide provides students and parents of color, low income, or no previous post-secondary education with the information, skills, and experiences that…

Identifies communicators whom eighth-grade girls perceive as credible regarding reasons for taking elective physical science courses in high school. Finds that father, woman science teacher, mother, and boy high school student are ranked highly. Attributes associated with the communicators were classified as prestige, trustworthiness, similarity,…

Reports on a study of 50 undergraduate nonmusic majors to determine the relationship between world music preferences and multicultural attitudes. Finds support for the view that social/cultural attitudes play a role in world music preference. Discusses implications of the study for music teachers. (CFR)

The work of J. Eccles and others (1983) in proposing an integrative theoretical model of achievement behaviors was extended using data from the Second International Mathematics Study. Strong support was found for the constructs identified by the model as determinants of the intention to take more mathematics courses. (SLD)

A study investigated the relationship of high school seniors' (n=44,259) standardized test scores to their achievement in related high school courses frequently required or recommended for college admission. Results suggest the quantity of courses taken does correlate positively with test scores. (MSE)

Explores relationships among enrollment in algebra or a foreign language in eighth grade, level of mathematics or foreign-language courses taken in high school, and application to a four-year college or university. (Author/SLD)

Analyzes the influence of calculus performance on choosing a mathematics, science, or engineering (MSE) major, noting the role of diverse students' participation in the Emerging Scholars Program (ESP), which helps strengthen calculus performance and encourage persistence in MSE. Findings suggest that ESP students earn higher calculus grades than…

Observes that there is little research on Australian students' motivations to enroll in particular college courses. Reports the results of an investigation of the motivations of students to undertake an introductory elective marketing course. Argues that this has implications for the areas of curriculum design, streaming procedures, and teaching…

Focused on how the high school preparation of first-generation students (i.e., students whose parents did not attend college) related to these students' performance and persistence at 4-year colleges. Compared these students with their peers whose parents graduated from college. Parents' levels of education were associated with student retention…

Examines whether students who enroll in courses that receive poor average class ratings are more likely to leave their university. Finds that enrollment in both poorly rated and top-rated courses, in contrast to mid-rated courses, reduces the probability of retention in the university. (CMK)