Reports findings of a Scottish study using questionnaires and interviews to investigate views of 387 college freshmen on course selection, specifically addressing low female enrollment in computing areas. Finds computing students motivated by extrinsic awards. Reveals stereotypes, intimidation fears, lack of role models, and teacher guidance…

Examines nonpsychological determinants of students' college major choice to challenge the premise that college major choice is not solely determined by vocational interests. Surveyed more than 300 Chinese-American undergraduates, a majority of whom are first-generation immigrants enrolled in institutions of higher education in Greater New York.…

This article presents results of an interpretive study of the educational and career paths of seven women who have left the mathematics/science pipeline to research scientist in order to pursue a doctorate in education. Their narratives portray conflicts between their self-concepts and the nature of their chosen disciplines. (SLD)

One hundred and twenty-seven undergraduate business majors at a regional northwestern university completed a series of hypothetical choice tasks in which they were asked to choose between two courses that varied with respect to the instructor's course evaluations, grading leniency, the course's worth/usefulness, and the assigned workload. Data…

The author states that, the sex-role identity of both men and women forms and changes as a function of the conditions of upbringing, schooling, and the degree of pressure of sex-role stereotypes that are instilled by the mass media. In spite of the proclaimed "equal opportunities" for men and women when it comes to acquiring some…

To understand better the factors involved in students' decisions to pursue graduate study in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering (NSME), this study surveyed a stratified sample of 1,651 NSME majors who took the Graduate Record Examination General Test in December 1990, planning to enroll in graduate school. The survey asked for…

Each year 1.5 million students take the ACT Assessment to help themselves identify and develop realistic plans for their postsecondary education and career goals. The ACT Assessment includes the following tests: (1) English; (2) Mathematics; (3) Reading; and (4) Science Reasoning. Students receive four test scores, seven subscores, and a composite…

This report presents information about the performance of the 1994 graduating seniors nationwide who took the ACT Assessment as juniors or seniors. Average scores are on the scale for the Enhanced ACT Assessment, which was introduced in 1989. It must be recalled that ACT-tested seniors may not be representative of the total population of…

This report profiles undergraduates enrolled in postsecondary education for the academic year 1989-90 and presents a description of the social and economic backgrounds of these students, what types of institutions they attended, their educational experience, and their educational aspirations. The information presented includes the following…

The Reform of Secondary Education carried out in Spain in recent years has given rise to an increased number of options for students. This study empirically analyzed the consistency between options chosen by students in secondary education and the later demand for degrees at the higher education level. The sample consisted of two cohorts of…

This study was conducted from the perspective that the under-representation of women in science is, at least partially, a consequence of learning, and therefore, may be considered a symptom of a hidden curriculum in science education. A nine page review of the literature is presented on this subject. This study investigated the direct and indirect…

This volume presents information on secondary vocational education compiled by the recently completed National Assessment of Vocational Education. Chapter 1 provides information about regional, district, and school-level availability of vocational education and the institutions that provide it. It reports the following: availability differs by…

This study investigated factors responsible for the consistently low numbers of black students applying to the College of Dental Medicine of South Carolina. The project was structured to obtain feedback from two entities at the undergraduate level: the pre-health advisors (Phase I); and black students (Phase II). Thirty-four responses were…

The 1987 High School Transcript Study was designed to provide educational policymakers with information regarding current course offerings and course taking in the nation's secondary schools. As a part of the study, analysis of course-taking patterns of 1987 graduates were compared with data for 1982 graduates. In the fall of 1987, high school…

The scientific literacy of the average citizen is primarily the result of formal education in science. Such education is very important in an increasingly technological society such as the United States. To get a feel for students' understanding and appreciation of science, it is important to examine their mastery of basic skill levels as well as…