Reports on a survey of 275 psychology departments on requirements for psychology majors, chairperson's opinions about psychology minors, and minor areas recommended for psychology majors. Finds strong support for minors in the psychology program to provide a more well-rounded education. (CFR)

Reports on a study of 301 new psychology majors to test and extend a generic model for academic pathways to the undergraduate major and investigate feminization of the field. Finds that a student's contact with basic college psychology courses is a major factor leading to a decision about an undergraduate major. (CFR)

Responses from 574 of 827 students in introductory home economics classes identified positive influences in selecting home economics as a major: friends, high school home economics teachers, and home economics faculty. Negative influences were family, other high school teachers, radio advertisements, and campus recruitment. (SK)

Reports an investigation of participation in combinations of subjects in senior secondary schools in Australia which embody different science orientations. This study shows that different combinations of factors shape participation in "physical science" and "biological and other science" types of courses. (PR)

Examines student perceptions of gender-appropriate science courses through completion of the Course Selection Sheet (CSS) to select courses for themselves and members of the opposite sex. Contains 117 references. (DDR)

Presents three types of information derived from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) mathematics assessment: (1) what students know and can do in mathematics; (2) course-taking patterns and current classroom practices in mathematics; and (3) student attitudes about mathematics. Student mathematics performance in the United…

Defends the exclusion of Shakespeare course requirements for the English Department at Indiana University by explaining that "Shakespeare can take care of himself"--students will sign up for as many Shakespeare classes as offered. Presents opposing obstacles and objectives to this curricular decision. (SC)

Discusses the findings of a study of young people who had left post-16 education prematurely or had switched courses. Examines the main influences on the young people's decisions, the extent to which they felt prepared for their transitions, and their views of career guidance and education. (Author/GCP)

In interviews with 194 sixth-graders and 179 ninth graders, most demonstrated limited awareness of the relationship between school and work, skills and knowledge needed, and the learning opportunities available. They were more aware of the value of extracurricular rather than academic activities to their future career. They believed that future…

A British study of 93 male and 35 female students taking advanced-level (A-level) physics showed that females who had chosen to pursue A-levels tended to have higher ability, preferred contextualized teaching and learning, and were more person oriented in their career choices. (SK)

Describes the development and ongoing evaluation of Web-based nursing master's courses at Ball State University. Presents a consumer guide for student selection of Web-based courses, consisting of questions about student support, curriculum and instruction, faculty, institutional context and commitment, and evaluation and assessment. (Contains 28…

Purpose ? Owing to the increasing debt students are accumulating to finance their tertiary study, many are having to work during term time. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of this paid employment on their study time and other aspects of their lives. Design/methodology approach ? Eighty three undergraduates completed a questionnaire…

Job values are a central topic in research on occupational attainment. However, studies show conflicting results as to when values emerge. It has been argued that values are deep-rooted in a person and acquired in early youth. Other findings indicate that values change during education. Finally, the importance of adult experiences in and out of…

In this paper I address the question: How is it that people come to choose mathematics and in what ways is this process gendered? I draw on the findings of a qualitative research study involving interviews with 43 young people all studying mathematics in post-compulsory education in England. Working within a post-structuralist framework, I argue…

This article outlines a study conducted in Finland and Portugal into the reasons why International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) students choose particular Experimental Science (Group 4) subjects. Its findings suggest that interest, enjoyment, university course and career requirements have most influence on students' choices.…