Examines trends in the educational achievement of African Americans at secondary and postsecondary levels using data from various national surveys. Barriers to educational achievement are described, and intervention strategies for improving African-American success in higher education are reviewed. Increasing minority participation will require…

Performance of 156 undergraduate and 48 graduate students on a self-adapted test (SFAT)--students choose the difficulty level of their test items--was compared with performance on a computer-adapted test (CAT). Those taking the SFAT obtained higher ability scores and reported lower posttest state anxiety than did CAT takers. (SLD)

Three studies extend earlier research that showed the potency of nonlanguage factors such as ethnicity in affecting undergraduates' reactions to university teaching assistants who are nonnative speakers of English. Results indicate that intercultural sensitization for undergraduates must complement skills training for nonnative teaching…

A graduate course at the University of New Hampshire is intended to help special educators of young children to develop communication and collaboration skills. Program evaluation has indicated that attitudes of professionals and their interactions with parents were changed in the direction of greater empathy, increased respect, and more…

A survey of 194 social work graduate students investigated the effects of part- or full-time enrollment status, employment status, marital status, and other roles on psychological adjustment. Results are discussed in light of scarcity and expansion hypotheses derived from role theory, and practical implications for social work education are…

A study examined the socialization experiences of 25 majority and 37 minority women doctoral students using 4 indices of social opportunity: recruitment of student by department; participation in apprenticeship and mentoring experiences; perceptions of department as either competitive or cooperative and offering support networks; and experience of…

Critiques industrial, economic, and educational policies and trends of the United States in light of their impact on the access of African Americans and other minorities to the benefits of economic and social success. Covers low-wage industrial policy, high immigration, free-trade agreements, and emphasis on graduate education. (JB)

A study compared master's degree student ratings of social work field instructor behavior with field instructor self-reports in a random sample of 31 student/instructor pairs. Students' ratings were more strongly associated with their global satisfaction than with instructor self-reports. It is concluded that better indicators of practicum quality…

Suggests ways to maximize benefits and minimize problems of obtaining master's degrees in music education through summer school graduate study. Considers factors that distinguish summer school from the regular calendar: changes in faculty, reduced course offerings and performance opportunities, and altered college environment. Includes a nine-item…

Describes a study that investigated the use of computer conferencing systems in a masters-level professional health care program. Previous research is reviewed; message content (i.e., socio-emotional activity versus task activity) is discussed; and the model development of the discipline is used to compare course content. (Contains 42 references.)…

Examined policies and practices concerning student and alumni credential files and how these files are valued by teacher-hiring officials. Surveys were completed by 273 career services/placement professionals and by 506 chief-hiring officials in public schools. Found that maintaining and mailing credentials continued to be service provided by…

Discusses the role of standards, assessment, and program evaluation in the University of Southern Maine's Professional Development School (PDS) model. University and PDS faculty support standards-based assessment that is integral to the one-year graduate teaching internship and preparation program. Evidence indicates that shared responsibility for…

Lists doctoral dissertations that were completed during 1996 that relate to children and adults with hearing impairments, including the education of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, early intervention, hearing loss, teacher inservice training, cochlear implants, substance abuse, sign language, and socialization. (CR)

Examines earnings differentials across individual and institutional characteristics for college graduates, using national longitudinal data. Graduates from highly selective colleges and universities (and research universities) earn significantly more than graduates from less selective colleges or public institutions. Gender and racial returns vary…

Discussion of the higher education system of Macedonia includes a description of the various institutions, the undergraduate and graduate programs of the two principal universities, admission and enrollment procedures, higher education finance, and international linkages, particularly the intention of creating cooperative arrangements with…