Available evidence does not support the notion that aging is associated with increasingly conservative social and political attitudes, or the idea that attitudinal rigidity is the norm among older cohorts. To examine whether aging is associated with attitudinal rigidity, nine surveys from the National Opinion Research Center were analyzed to…

Historical data on enrollments in grades one through twelve and high school graduates in the four-county service area of the Gulf Coast Junior College District were collected for 1973 to 1978 and enrollments were projected for the years 1979 to 1989. Once grade and graduation figures were verified for accuracy, a Cohort Survival Method was used to…

Intergenerational differences within the family were examined through an exploration of values in three-generation intra-family triads. Subjects (N=180) were 30 male and 30 female white middle class triads. Each triad consisted of a son, father, paternal grandfather or daughter, mother, maternal grandmother. Generation ranges were: youngest, 17-23…

As part of a continuing study of student flow in the seven Hawaii community colleges, this report explores the number and characteristics of fall 1975 entering students enrolled in spring 1978 at campuses other than their campus of entry. Of the total fall 1975 entering students, 833 had graduated by spring 1978 and 1,784 were still at their…

This paper presents data from the National Child Development Study of approximately 16,000 children in England, Scotland, and Wales which examined the extent to which the same children performed relatively well or poorly in math and reading at each stage of their school career. (MF)

Analyzed data comparing women white-collar workers in 1957 (N=258) and 1976 (N=372) on the basis of decline in job satisfaction, and the effects of sex-segregation of occupation on this decline. Results indicated that decline in job satisfaction, especially affiliation and achievement, was greater for women in sex-segregated occupations. (LLL)

Studied the family history of preschool children (N=1,067). By 6 years, 16 percent of children born to two-parent families experienced a family breakdown. Findings suggest that, once children left the traditional two-parent family, there was a strong possibility they would be exposed to both marriage formation and breakdown. (BH)

This study examined whether postprimary education enhances informal reasoning skills, operationalized as skill in constructing arguments about everyday issues. Eight subject groups, balanced for six, ranged over high school, college, graduate school, and nonstudents with or without bachelor's degrees. (Author/BS)

The period of major risk for initiation to cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana is completed mostly by age 20, and to illicit drugs other than cocaine by age 21. Overall patterns are similar for both sexes, with men initiating all drugs (except prescribed psychoactives) at higher rates than women. (Author/GC)

A cohort of former New York State adolescents were reinterviewed nine years after an initial survey. Drug use predictions, it was found, can be based on age effects and prior types of drug use; marijuana use, for example, is necessary for progression to other illicit drugs. (KH)

Explores the social determinants of the timing of the first birth in a nationwide sample of 6,752 women. Results showed education at marriage is the most important predictor. Although a few social determinants (i.e., race and religion) have a direct effect, most affect age at first birth through education. (JAC)

Compared the Scholastic Aptitude Test scores of college freshmen in 1969 and 1979. Results showed the class of 1983 (tested in 1979) obtained lower Scholastic Aptitude scores but higher scores on certain measures of study habits and attitudes. Differences in verbal aptitude between men and women may have narrowed. (JAC)

Notes that the family life cycle is becoming but one of a number of subcurrents in the lives of women. In documenting some of the facets of this general trend, changes in several key aspects of womens' lives are examined in terms of the variable effects on different age groups at different stages in the life cycle. (Author/AM)

This status report documents the postsecondary progress of the 1993-1994 Florida public high school graduating class through the spring term of 2001, or 7 years after high school graduation. The two major outcomes addressed were baccalaureate degree completion and the time/credit hours to baccalaureate degree completion. The study focused on…

This paper discusses cohorts of Rio Hondo College (California) fall term students who completed the English/English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) assessment test under the ESL scoring rubric between fall 1996 and spring 2001, and considers the relationships of assessment testing, enrollment, and course success. Report highlights include: (1) the…