Five groups of undergraduate students (academic dismissals, low grade point average [GPA] stopouts, high GPA stopouts, low GPA persisters, and high GPA persisters) were compared in terms of their responses to a checklist of financial sources of support. Clear sex differences were observed in the reliance on financial sources. (Author/MLW)

Human capital investment theory is used to determine why teachers in Texas are leaving the profession despite growing demand for their services. Data for 1978-79 show that an average White male high school graduate could expect to earn more than a teacher holding a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree. (PP)

The performance and the predictors of performance of urban and nonurban students in a University of Missouri-Kansas City B.A.-M.D. program are compared. The results provide some evidence for the assertion that rural students perform well in college because they have the zeal to overcome perceived handicaps. (Author/MLW)

A response to a previous article on predicting academic success of transfer students at the School of Pharmacy, University of Wyoming, is presented. Posits that a multivariate predictor of a student's final grade point average would be a successful predictor tool. Presents an evaluation of those predictor equations. (MLW)

The Life Planning Workshop for High School Students focuses on developing self-control and decision-making skills to handle all the major life roles. Both short-term and long-term goals were considered. Field testing among low income Black students was successful. (JAC)

Relates teaching experiences and problems encountered in trying to improve students' motivation with a variety of teaching methods and classroom techniques. Concludes that the social function of language provides the highest motivation for most, but advocates different approaches to teaching in response to different students' needs and learning…

Reading achievement determinants for Wilmington, Delaware, fourth graders show a positive relation between achievement and the student's perception of positive teacher attitude and also of positive parent attitudes. Improved data included student intelligence quotient, pre-test and post-test reading scores, and individual teacher characteristics…

Analyzes the demographics, motivation, and environment of the lifelong learner. Offers potential responses of community college educators to meet their needs. Calls upon community colleges to fulfill a genuine social responsibility to lessen the gap between adults with formal education and those without it. (JM)

Describes a study to identify factors related to academic success at the College of Basic Studies at Boston University. Creativity, Scholastic Achievement Test scores, high school grade point average (GPA), and academic motivation variables were factor analyzed, and included with sex in a stepwise regression, with college GPA as the criterion.…

A positive reinforcement method in a foreign language course is described that emphasizes the relationship between evaluation and the entire learning process. The teacher's role in the formation of student attitudes and the exact nature of the evaluation method are described. (SW)

Investigates numerous individual difference measures to determine their underlying dimensions, to contrast their predictive validities and to evaluate their contributions in a causal model of second language acquisition. Findings indicate that substantial links exist among affective measures and achievement. (56 references) (Author/CK)

A junior high teacher converted her science and math classroom into a business-like setting where students report to work daily and cooperatively participate in planning, learning, and classroom management. (SM)

Examines whether the technological development of expert systems can be achieved successfully by students in distance instruction, and differences between distance learning and traditional campus education. Results suggest that not only can successful systems development be achieved but that the hands-on aspect of systems development contributes…

Notes that collaborative action research helped Australian adult education teachers refine their classroom skills and reflect critically on their current practice. Discusses research designed to develop teachers' skills in meeting the English language learning needs of disparate groups of learners and to assist these teachers in redirecting their…

Outlines and discusses four unique and major challenges facing the undergraduate statistics instructor. These are motivating students to study material they think is uninteresting, handling mathematics anxiety, dealing with performance extremes, and making the learning memorable. Offers solutions for each challenge. (MJP)