A survey of 43 Israeli students investigated their attitudes toward technology education as a high school subject. It was attractive as an elective course for its contribution to creative, hands-on, and practical thinking skills. The course changed student attitudes toward technology. (SK)

This longitudinal study of 3,578 matriculating freshmen at a mid-sized public doctoral university in the Midwest found that students working on campus academically persisted at higher rates from fall to spring of their first year, and year to year thereafter. Also, students who worked on campus during their first semester graduated within 6 years…

Examines relationship between higher course requirements for high school graduation and adult employability. Findings suggest positive correlation. But also finds reductions in educational attainment, especially among blacks. (PKP)

Discusses the way the notion of school completion is being cast, its supporting discourse, and the manner in which this has the potential to marginalize and exclude. Focus is not about why youths leave school before completion, but about how these youths assess their decisions to leave or not to leave in terms of the ideology regarding school…

Because of the lack of a definitive United States Supreme Court decision on prayers at graduation, school officials are left without clear direction. Analyzes two decisions that illustrate the differences in judicial opinion on the legality of prayers at graduation ceremonies. (MLF)

Reviews the practice of holding exit interviews with graduating psychology students at Loyola University (Louisiana). Discusses the benefits and limitations of exit interviews, stating that they provide unique data unavailable from other sources. (GEA)

According to a recent study, state mandates for tougher academic standards do not necessarily lead to more and better course content. Although more lower- and middle-achieving students are enrolled in academic classes, these courses are at the basic, general, or remedial level and fail to meet reform commission goals. (MLH)

Study of an adult degree program used enrollment data 1986-96, course progression data 1990-95, and surveys of 140 enrolled and 250 not enrolled students. Three-fourths of those who graduated 1988-94 did so within three years; retention was most difficult in the self-directed and research phases; women's graduation rate was higher. (SK)

It is surprisingly easy for today's students to change grades, falsify documents, or create bogus diplomas. Explores the extent of the problem and offers ideas on ways in which colleges can protect themselves and society from the consequences of educational fraud. Addresses staff training, distribution of information regarding fraud, and improving…

Predictability of graduation from the Community College of the Air Force was studied in a sample of 518 master sergeants. Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) electronics scores and gender were significant predictors; age, ethnicity, major, and ASVAB mechanical, administrative, and general scores were not. (SK)

The French government's decision in 1985 to have 80 percent of high-school students reach the "baccalaureat" level by century's end and to create a new secondary school degree (the "baccalaureat professionnel") are among the most broadly influential and successful education reforms since the beginning of the Fifth Republic.…

Describes how what happens in the most elite institutions of higher education in the United States creates the body of knowledge and attitudes by which most colleges are judged. Among the issues for which this phenomenon is apparent are those of grade inflation, graduation rates, and core curricula. (SLD)

Discusses the origins and practices of Lavender Graduations, events in which the lives and achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender college students are celebrated. Examines results of an evaluation survey, reviews implications for practice, and provides suggestions for future research. (Contains 19 references.) (GCP)

A Georgia high school got on the block-scheduling bandwagon after discovering that their students were having difficulties meeting new state graduation requirements and wanted more electives. After receiving extensive retraining and working on a block-scheduling plan for graduate credit, teachers successfully made the transition. (MLH)

Analysis of 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth data for school-to-work participation found that it does not appear to influence behavior associated with college attendance. It does appear to increase subjective probabilities of obtaining a high school diploma and perceived likelihood of future labor market activity. (Contains 15…