Student retention at the University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill is examined using different student levels (freshman, transfer, masters, professional, and doctoral) as a basis for comparison. Intrainstitutional data have the advantage of being readily available and they highlight the difference among levels within the institution. Understanding…

Describes a survey of graduate-degree-granting departments of foreign languages, linguistics, and comparative literature designed to investigate the teaching assistants (TA) system. Analyzes the findings of the survey and offers recommendations for a model program of TA training, supervision, and evaluation. (MES)

Analyzes the results of a questionnaire given to psychology departments offering doctoral programs. The survey asked department chairs to identify pedagogical responsibility and training components for teaching assistants and to rate teaching assistant supervisors. Includes a statistical analysis regarding specific teaching functions and training…

Reports a study that examined the relationship of demographics and computer accessibility variables to special educators' perceived computer competency levels. Surveys of 234 special educators indicated that computer ownership and access to computers were the best predictors of perceived computer competence. The study found that student access to…

Conflicts in many states between administrators and disgruntled college employees have led to a surge of labor activism in academe, including strikes and protests, votes to unionize, disputes over evaluation and compensation, and court litigation. Conflicts involve teaching assistants, adjunct faculty, and tenured faculty alike. (MSE)

Presents the author's opinion on research training for doctoral students in counseling psychology and the factors that influence such students to pursue academic careers. Discusses articles by Kahn and Gelso (1997) and Kahn and Scott (1997) which are both in this issue. Discusses training issues such as interpersonal factors, instructional…

Describes a partnership between a university graduate student and the principal and teachers of a traditional elementary school who collaborated to engage in study group sessions, keep professional journals, and read and discuss research articles on writing instruction. The paper addresses issues of building trust, equalizing power, and…

Analyzed and compared the success and information seeking behaviors of seventh grade science students and graduate students in using the Yahooligans! Web search engine. Discusses cognitive, affective, and physical behaviors during a fact-finding task, including searching, browsing, and time to complete the task; navigational styles; and focus on…

Examined cross-cultural variations in stress among Asian and Caucasian graduate students (N=204). Analyzed surveys measuring life stress, physical health complaints, and psychological health. Findings indicated some cross-cultural variations in stress and adjustment among graduate students, with Asian graduate students experiencing fewer stressful…

Constructed and tested three inventories of teacher beliefs: Teachers' Beliefs About Parents, Teachers' Beliefs About Administrators, and Perceptions of Parental Beliefs Concerning Teachers. Inventories were completed by 462 elementary, secondary, and special education teachers. All measures seemed to possess reasonable construct validity and…

Simon Fraser University's program of English language support for Indonesian graduate students is described. The program's special features include team teaching, extended planning time, and focus on students' specialized academic needs. Recommendations for other similar programs are given. (Author/MSE)

The advanced phase of the University of Florida's international teaching assistants training program extends the linguistic and pedagogical training of these assistants by concentrating on one-on-one and small group interactions with native speakers. Detailed analysis of videotaped interactions help in the development of strategies for the…

Investigates how clinical psychology graduate students and faculty at nine universities perceive the student role and student control over the academic environment. Despite high correlation between student and faculty attitudes toward student characteristics needed for success, students rated stress management significantly higher. Suggests that…

A committee of the North Carolina Board of Governors will recommend that each state university create or enhance programs to improve campus race relations, engage minority students in campus life, increase numbers of black students and of black doctoral candidates, and achieve higher minority enrollment. Focus is on both recruiting and retaining…

Participation of 18 parents of young children with disabilities in field-site experiences for graduate school interns was examined. Parents indicated support for their involvement in such training programs. Implications for using families in personnel training in early intervention are addressed. (Author/SW)