In spring 1997, members of the 1990 graduating classes of 12 public and private high schools in Marin County, California, were surveyed regarding their accomplishments after high school and their perceptions of the quality of their high school education. Surveys were mailed to 1,932 members of the class of 1990. A 34.3% response rate (662…

The myth that only the high school student who is at or near the top of his class can succeed at a four-year college is not upheld for graduates of Laguna-Acoma High School (LAHS) in New Mexico. Many sources provide accurate gradepoint averages (GPA), American College Test (ACT) scores and Rank in Class (RIC) for the LAHS students who took the ACT…

The author reviews various current approaches to evaluating pupil achievement, evaluating instruction, and using grades, grade point averages, and class rank. Such issues as the philosophical and psychological bases for selection and use of evaluation instruments, the use of performance objectives, ways to reduce subjectivity in grading, the use…

Path analysis was used to explore the relationships among a number of variables related to student persistence. The subjects were freshmen in the College of Liberal Arts, University of Minnesota. Variables that showed the largest total effects on persistence were college grade-point average and high school rank. (Author/MLW)

American College Testing Program (ACT) scores, high school rank, high school GPA, high school algebra grades, algebra pretest score, sex, birth order, family size, and high school size were used to predict course grades in the first semester of college calculus. The best predictors were the algebra pretest and high school rank. (Author/BW)

This report contains data tables covering six major categories: Category 1, "Preparation of Enrolled Freshmen, Fall 1994," includes data on American College Testing scores and high school ranking; in Category 2, "Access," data are provided for tuition and required fees and financial aid, including data on trends and grant and…

In the former New Castle County (Delaware) School District (reorganized into four districts in 1981), minority students were numerically overrepresented from 1979 to 1982 in suspensions from school and in placement in special education and lower academic groupings. To determine if the overrepresentation was based on discriminatory practices or…

A recent decline in the ability to predict first-year grade point average using the traditional regression analyses incorporating Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) and high school rank as predictors fostered an investigation of the effectiveness of alternative procedures to predict academic success. Four procedures were investigated and compared,…

Describes a study that examined the effects of an interactive video computer-aided simulation program on instructing preservice education majors in classroom management issues. Topics include student achievement, class rank, stages of concern, computer anxiety, learning modality, the Classroom Management Achievement Test, and student reactions.…

Presents the results of a study where students rated audiotape excerpts of vocal instruction that featured teacher approval or disapproval behavior. Correlated this information with the students' grade level, gender, and responses to questions concerning attributes for success. Most students attributed success to internal rather than external…

Data from two studies in which subjects were classified as successful or unsuccessful were analyzed using neural net technology after being analyzed with a linear regression function. Data were obtained from admission records of 201 students admitted to undergraduate and 285 students admitted to graduate programs. Data included grade point…

The effectiveness of a state-mandated set of at-risk criteria to predict which students are likely to become dropouts is evaluated in this study of the Austin Independent School District (AISD). Descriptions of the district information delivery system, state criteria, and criteria operationalization are provided. Discriminant function analysis…

Though many would like to see a de-emphasis on grades in American higher education, three major reasons prevent this: student motivation, student perception, and the nature of American society. Students need extrinsic motivation and grades are the most effective of all student motivational tools. In addition, as evaluation is always oriented…

The association of rural or urban background with choice of medical practice location was investigated in two time periods, 1950-1955 and 1963-1968, using the alumni of the Medical College of Wisconsin. High school location, place of birth, and place of internship were found to be significantly associated with practice location. (Author/JMD)

This study investigated the efficacy of noncognitive variables and academic background for the prediction of college grade performance and persistence. A total of 7,377 new first-year college students participated in the study, completing demographic questionnaires at the start of the school year. Data were also collected on American College Test…