As school choice becomes more prevalent, competition among school districts for new students is increasing. School districts are using various sales tools, including paid advertisements, professional marketers, bookmarks, and billboards to market their schools. This article discusses divisive tactics, equity concerns, parent frustrations, and…

Describes the major challenges of accommodating dual-career couples in academic science and some of the current responses to those challenges from institutions of higher learning. Discusses prevailing perceptions concerning household responsibility, the science work ethic, job procurement, continued discrimination against women, and future…

Examines the idea that introductory college courses should be magnets for recruiting and retaining science majors, not filters to discourage the "unfit." Discusses the possible relationship between the quality of instruction in college science and the number of students that drop out of science well into their college careers. (KR)

Examines the rates of attrition for undergraduate engineering students by addressing the following issues: ease of transition from high school to college; relevance of basic science coursework to engineering curricula; emphasis on management within general education component; improvement of academic advising schemes; development of universal…

Describes the growth of vocational and technical education in China. Expresses concern that newer vocational and technical schools may not meet desired standards. Suggests that low quality may be due to inadequate budgets, facilities, faculty, and sources of students. Calls for increased attention to poorer quality schools and reduced educational…

Most private colleges should concentrate on increasing the number of serious applications they receive rather than trying to increase the conversion of applicants to enrollees. Effective student recruitment requires cooperation of all departments, offices, and committees, not just the efforts of the admissions office, in creating an attractive…

Discusses reasons for the decline in American student participation in the sciences and offers suggestions to reverse this trend. (ZWH)

Examines over 500 job rejection letters received by a single English professorial job candidate over a period of 9 years. Analyzes shortcomings and strengths. Offers suggestions for composing these letters. (HB)

A rural school principal from New Zealand participated in a principal exchange program that allowed her to visit various rural schools in Australia. She examined incentives to attract and retain teachers in remote schools, forms of teacher monitoring and appraisal, and the extent to which Australian parents and community members were involved in…

Outlines three strategies for retaining students of color and 13 strategies for recruiting and retaining faculty of color. Notes that the suggestions are not intended to persuade anyone to engage in recruiting and retaining faculty and students of color but to facilitate these activities for those already committed to them. (SR)

Increasing participation of Black students in high technology vocational programs requires (1) eliminating negative attitudes about vocational education; (2) introducing technology education in elementary and middle schools; and (3) linking vocational programs with community opportunities, for example, through the work of vocational-technical…

A survey of 26,516 alumni representing 120 colleges and universities assessed former students' satisfaction with their bachelor's degrees in 3 areas (personal growth, continuing education, job preparation) and by 4 subgroups (by gender, institution type/size, years since graduation, major). Results are reported, and ways to incorporate findings…

Addresses the shortage of competent applicants for rural principalships. Options for hiring includes (1) selection of principals from outside the rural district; or (2) preappointment of in-district candidates. Describes demographics of typical rural principals and the failings of university training programs. Suggests strategies to address the…

Duke University's affirmative action plan for faculty, unveiled in the late 1980s, has had limited success. Critics blame this on a small pool of minority doctorates and in-house resistance. Success has been greatest in the history department. The school has been more successful in attracting African-American graduate students. (MSE)

Notes that well-designed financial aid package is importance tool in student recruitment. Explains that economics has core of principles to guide decision makers when dealing with complicated economic questions. Uses those principles to answer questions related to financial aid in attempt to create conceptual framework which can be accepted by all…