An attempt to integrate psychological and sociological theories of student choice of higher education courses by drawing on the structuration theory of A. Giddens is discussed. Empirical support is given through studies of Danish higher education admission and student course selection by 1,084 secondary school graduates. (SLD)

Describes a study of undergraduate students that examined the relationship between selection of college computer courses and self-perceived proficiency in using computers, computer causal attributions, and selected computer attitudes. Gender issues are addressed, correlations between variables are examined, and implications for educators are…

Uses the general linear model to develop an adjusted cumulative grade point average (GPA) that systematically models grading effects among courses. A validation study using 778 courses of 1,564 Stanford (California) University students shows an increase in predictability of the adjusted least-squares GPA over the unadjusted GPA. (SLD)

Transcript data were analyzed to determine changes in course taking among graduates of high schools including mostly lower achieving students in California, Florida, Missouri, and Pennsylvania, which adopted high graduation requirements in the 1980s. Average credits per student increased in all academic subjects, as did the courses' difficulty…

Addresses the need for institutional-level research on minority college student persistence and choice of academic major, discussing the importance and benefits of such research. A two-stage case study illustrates the utility of institutional research. Implications of the campus-based model of the study are discussed. (SLD)

A prototype computerized expert system was designed to advise high school or first-year college students who are uncertain about a particular college or major. On-demand consultation gathers information about student grades, interests, test scores, and aptitudes, assesses admission qualifications for a variety of majors, then recommends curricula…

Structural equation modeling was used to assess the influence of past mathematics grades, performance expectancies, and value perceptions on math anxiety of 250 seventh through ninth graders. The importance of these variables for grades and course selection was also studied. Results are discussed concerning expectancy-value and self-efficacy…

Gender differences in college grades in first-year mathematics (algebra, precalculus, or calculus) and Scholastic Aptitude Test Mathematics (SAT-M) scores were studied for about 7,000 men and 5,000 women. Gender differences favoring women in grades and men in SAT-M scores cannot be explained in terms of differential course selection. (SLD)

Schools' course structures and policies allow some families to garner the best educational resources. To treat all students fairly, schools must recognize privileged parents' racial/class motivations, infuse academic talk into informal networks, acknowledge "invisible" parents' aspirations, demolish communication barriers, and encourage…

A study of first-year chemistry students (n=962) in one Canadian university investigated factors that may contribute to retention or withdrawal of women in science study. Results show transition patterns into and during the first year of university that suggest that career paths and lifestyles begin to differentiate between genders in ways much…

The study examined students' and parents' perceptions of the transition from middle school to high school in a large public school district in the Midwest. Mean comparisons of student and parent responses to the "Perceptions of Transition Survey" revealed similarities and differences in academic, social, and organizational areas.…

Institutional and survey data of community college transfer students in Missouri was used to determine if grade transfer shock (GTS) was related to student outcomes and whether demographic, institutional, and traditional counseling services were associated with GTS. GTS was found to be negatively related to student outcome measures at the…

What do course trajectories look like? Do career paths intersect? Do courses assume distinct roles in educational careers? What factors lead students to adopt various curricular moves? This article addresses these questions by examining the structure and dynamics of participant flows across courses in two high school math curricula. Drawing on…

This article examines the role of friends in girls' and boys' advanced course taking and explores whether friends' characteristics are particularly important for girls' math and science attainment. With the use of data from Adolescent Health and Academic Achievement and the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Heath, the results indicate that…

This paper reports the results of a telephone survey of 151 undergraduates who withdrew in their first year of study at a post-1992 institution. It focuses on the negative experiences which they reported during their time at the university and the ultimate reasons for leaving, exploring in particular issues around choice of course, academic…