Field observation studies involving 121 American and 200 Chinese third- through fifth-grade students, aged 8 to 11 years, examined developmental and cultural patterns in academic risk-taking. Variables assessed included developmental stage, situational factors, curricular emphasis, optimum risk level, cultural background, gender, and industrial…

Academic self-concept, academic locus of control, and achievement expectations were investigated over a two-year period for 78 children identified as learning disabled (LD) and 71 normal children. It appears that negative school-related attitudes develop early in LD children and remain consistent through high school. (TJH)

A review of the research on Canadian immersion programs supports two notions regarding second language learning: (1) older learners may have as much learning success as younger learners, and in a shorter time period; and (2) integration of content teaching and language teaching is paramount in effective second language instruction. (29 references)…

A discussion of the changing relationship between the state and higher education in nine industrialized countries looks at conflicting requirements for institutional accountability, different models for the relationship; politics and governance; the developing role of central intermediary agencies; changing perspectives of student protest; and the…

Presents statistical data that reveals the progress of African Americans in postsecondary education. The data cover racial inequality, graduation rates for black students in general, and graduation rates for black athletes in particular, and the black presence in the fields of engineering, performing arts, and fine arts. (GLR)

A study compared the performances of Wake Forest University (North Carolina) medical students rotating through an internal medicine program, 88 in a problem-based curriculum and 364 in a lecture-based curriculum. Students in the problem-based curriculum received significantly higher ratings from house staff and faculty on four clinical rating…

A process for college and university decision making and budgeting for capital outlays that focuses on evaluating the qualitative and quantitative benefits of each proposed project is described and illustrated. The process provides a means to solicit suggestions from those involved and provide detailed information for cost-benefit analysis. (MSE)

Although college student retention rates vary widely by institution, educators feel dropout prevention is improving and results from a variety of strategies. Teacher awareness training, better student monitoring, and enhanced support networks and services are credited for the improvement. Some policies concerning academic probation, suspension,…

A survey of 365 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University faculty investigated undergraduate grading policies and practices across disciplines. Results reveal patterns in teacher treatment of absolute vs. relative standards, grade recording and averaging, unexcused absences, late work, class participation, and non-achievement-related…

Describes the ImpacT study that was conducted in England and Wales to evaluate the effect of information technology (IT) on elementary and secondary school students' achievements in English, geography, math, and science. Research design and methodologies are explained, and results are compared with students not using IT. (Contains 15 references.)…

To explore the effects that changing to performance-based assessment has had on sex differences in science achievement that had been observed with traditional tests, 3 studies involving more than 906 elementary school students compared scores of males and females on performance-based tests. Few gender differences were found. (SLD)

Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress mathematics assessment for within-state samples of eighth graders suggest that achievement is inversely related to school and district size indexes and to state-funding share. Higher achieving states have smaller schools and districts and smaller state shares of school expenditures. (SLD)

Examines technology access and use in urban, suburban, and rural schools by using data from the eighth-grade cohort of the 1988 National Educational Longitudinal Survey. Results indicate significant differences in the use of mathematics technology in school settings, and that inequalities in educational opportunity still need to be addressed. (JKP)

Examines arguments commonly used to support the practice of young children coloring-in drawings. Justifications are examined and found to be seriously deficient. Describes three alternatives that involve teaching-learning strategies to facilitate the production of spontaneous drawings: verbal, conversational, and perceptual, each concerned with…

Discusses the artistic characteristics of children ages two through six years and the culturally endorsed shift of emphasis from symbolic play to technical mastery during the course of their artistic development. Reviews teaching practices, educational resources, and teacher training in schools in Australia and the People's Republic of China in…