Surveyed 1,107 African American college freshman about their perceptions of academic preparation, expected grade point average, expected graduation year, personal and social preparation for the new environment, and areas of needed help. Most had positive perceptions and expectations that were somewhat unrealistic. Implications for student…

Building on the example of computer software designed to help calculate grade point averages, the next generation of such programs is examined and the definition of computer-assisted advising is expanded to additional examples of interactive, student-centered advising software, some still under development. A comprehensive computer-assisted…

Examined relation of 7-year olds' attachment representations to later behavior and academic competency during middle childhood and adolescence. Controlled for social class, gender, IQ, perspective-taking ability, and prior competency. Found that attachment representations did not predict disruptive behavior or extroversion, but secure…

Examines the effects of a multi-component, structured group intervention on the academic achievement of 78 male and 71 female students on academic probation. Students participating in the intervention were removed from probation status at significantly higher rates and achieved significantly higher grade point averages and credit completion ratios…

Examines the relationship between epistemological beliefs, metacognition, and student achievement in a hypermedia learning environment. Results indicated that reading comprehension, grade point average, and three of the five epistemological beliefs (fixed ability, omniscient authority, and quick learning) significantly predicted posttest…

A study involving 158 college students with learning disabilities who were granted foreign language course substitutions found there were few cognitive and academic achievement differences among students with differing levels of IQ-achievement or achievement-achievement discrepancy on Modern Language Aptitude Test and American College Testing…

A new measure of academic performance was developed through a new application of item response theory (IRT). This new criterion, an IRT-based grade point average (GPA), was used to determine the predictive validity of certain preadmissions measures for 1,564 students admitted to Stanford University in 1982. (SLD)

The grade-point averages, Medical College Admission Test scores, and Student Progress Committee ratings of 75 minority students who had attended a preparatory program at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine were analyzed to determine how these variables related to the retention and progress of these students in medical school.…

Pharmacy college admissions test scores and prepharmacy grade point average were examined as predictors of academic success in pharmacy school, with separate analyses conducted for White, Black, and Asian subgroups. Predictors differed markedly for the subgroups. Eight noncognitive variables were also examined for predictive power when combined…

Developed peer-led telephone support and advising network for adult learners at one university. Peer leaders (n=22) contacted total of 116 new students with 3 calls each during first semester. Adult learners in telephone program were retained at level greater than those in control group. Two groups did not differ significantly in grade point…

Presents a meta-analysis of transfer shock, the grade point average (GPA) drop experienced by many community college transfer students. Reviews findings from 62 studies of the magnitude of GPA change. Reports 79 percent of the transfer students experiencing transfer shock and 67 percent recovering from it. (DMM)

Computed measure of average academic rigor of student's high school program from high school transcripts and used measure as supplemental predictor to Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores and high school rank in class. Data from two cohorts of college graduates revealed new measure was superior to SAT scores and rank in class in predicting…

This study at 21 colleges found that having entering freshmen write a short holistically scored essay added nothing to the prediction of freshman grade point average compared to predictions made from high school grade point average, Scholastic Aptitude Test scores, and a multiple-choice test of writing-related skills. (Author/DB)

A survey of 162 students in several sections of a master of social work basic research methodology and statistics course, taught by different teachers, found that student performance did not differ across instructors, undergraduate grade point average was positively correlated with performance, and an undergraduate social service major was…

This study examined the academic performance of gifted students (especially female and ethnic minority students) moving from elementary to secondary education. Although no differences were found for female students, ethnic minority students took fewer advanced level classes and had lower grade point averages than did other gifted students. (DB)