An Examination of the Effect of Elementary School Size on Student Academic Achievement

Prior studies that have investigated the relationship between school size and student academic achievement have produced conflicting results. For example, some studies found a positive relationship between school size and student achievement; other studies found that the relationship is negative. Typically, however, these past studies have not accounted for the influence of student ability in their analysis of the impact of school size on student achievement. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of school size on student achievement while accounting for student ability, among other variables. The results reported in this paper suggest that school size has a nonlinear relationship with respect to student achievement. Thus, there is an optimal school size with respect to the maximization of student achievement.     

Brown and black in white: The social adjustment and academic performance of Chicano and black students in a predominately white university

This article explores the academic and social experiences of Chicago and black students at UCLA. The analysis proceeds by examining differences in social backgrounds, high school and college experiences, and explores the relationship between these factors and college adjustment and achievement (GPA). Drawing upon recent theory on class reproduction and schooling we show particular concern with the role of social class in explaining differential outcomes. The findings indicate that blacks are more likely than Chicanos to feel alienated and perform poorly, and that social class makes no difference in these outcomes for blacks. However, middle class Chicanos perform better and are better adjusted than working class Chicanos. We discuss our findings in the light of theories of class reproduction, cultural capital, and racial signaling, suggesting that theories of reproduction must acknowledge the role of race in unequal school outcomes.     

Return intention of students from four developing countries

Students from Iran, Nigeria, Taiwan, and Venezuela studying at 30 U.S. universities in 1979 were compared with regard to their perceived likelihood of remaining in the United States permanently. Their perceived likelihood differed by country of origin. They also differed by country as to their choice of reasons that might make them remain in the United States and their anticipated satisfaction with the home country situations upon returning home. Within each country group, the students' perceived likelihood differed little in terms of selected personal characteristics, but differed significantly in terms of their choices of possible reasons for remaining in the United States. The reasons chosen reflected students' perceptions of the politico-economic situations of their countries.

---

Zusammenfassung Studenten aus dem Iran, Nigeria, Taiwan und Venezuela, die 1979 an US amerikanischen Universitäten studierten, wurden miteinander verglichen, für wie wahrscheinlich sie es hielten, auf Dauer in den USA zu bleiben. Die von ihnen selbst empfundene Wahrscheinlichkeit unterschied sich je nach Herkunftsland der Studenten. Je nach Land unterschieden sich auch die Gründe der Studenten, in den USA zu bleiben und für ihre antizipierte Zufriedenheit mit der Lage, die sie bei ihrer Rückkehr in ihre Heimat vorfinden würden. Innerhalb jeder Gruppe von Ländern wichen die von den Studenten empfundenen Wahrnehmungen im Hinblick auf ausgewählte persönliche Eigenschaften nur geringfügig von einander ab, jedoch gab es erhebliche Unterschiede bei den von ihnen angeführten persönlichen Gründen, in den USA zu bleiben. Diese Gründe spiegelten wider, wie die Studenten die wirtschaftlich-politische Lage in ihrer Heimat einschätzten.

---

Résumé Des étudiants provenant de l'Iran, du Nigeria, de Taiwan et du Venezuela inscrits dans 30 universités américaines en 1979 ont été comparés eu égard à leur perception des chances qu'ils avaient de rester définitivement aux Etats-Unis. Leur perception de cette probabilité différait selon le pays d'origine. Ils différaient aussi par pays selon leur choix des raisons qui devraient les retenir aux Etats-Unis et selon la satisfaction attendue des situations prévalant dans leur pays à leur retour. Au sein de chaque groupe représentant un pays, la perception de cette éventualité par les étudiants différait peu en fonction de certaines charactéristiques personnelles, mais elle différait davantages selon le choix des raisons possibles qui les poussaient à rester aux Etats-Unis. Les raisons présentées par les étudiants reflétaient leurs perceptions des conditions politico-économiques de leurs pays.

     

On-chip collection of particles and cells by AC electroosmotic pumping and dielectrophoresis using asymmetric microelectrodes

The recent development of microfluidic "lab on a chip" devices requiring sample sizes <100 μL has given rise to the need to concentrate dilute samples and trap analytes, especially for surface-based detection techniques. We demonstrate a particle collection device capable of concentrating micron-sized particles in a predetermined area by combining AC electroosmosis (ACEO) and dielectrophoresis (DEP). The planar asymmetric electrode pattern uses ACEO pumping to induce equal, quadrilateral flow directed towards a stagnant region in the center of the device. A number of system parameters affecting particle collection efficiency were investigated including electrode and gap width, chamber height, applied potential and frequency, and number of repeating electrode pairs and electrode geometry. The robustness of the on-chip collection design was evaluated against varying electrolyte concentrations, particle types, and particle sizes. These devices are amenable to integration with a variety of detection techniques such as optical evanescent waveguide sensing.     

Using Focus Groups to Study Consumer Understanding and Experiences with Tamper-Evident Packaging Devices

ABSTRACT:  A focus group with an educational component was used to help initiate a new research hypothesis. Early-stage development of a new tamper-evident invention was improved with input from a consumer focus group. The focus group comprised consumers who were shown several tamper-evident devices, including a new color-changing cap under active development. We found that consumers understood tamper-evident food packaging and recognized when devices were triggered. Most said that they always checked tamper-evident food packaging but further query revealed that they only did this for certain products. Consumers were ambivalent about paying more for foods protected by tamper-evident devices, including the color-changing one. None rejected the color-changing device but some recommended changes that would improve the invention. Some mentioned that new devices are unnecessary because current technology is effective in keeping food safe. An educational session conducted in conjunction with the focus group sessions showed that some peoples' initial negative attitude changed to positive support for new color-changing devices after learning about food security concerns. We found that a focus group was useful for shaping academic research and identifying the most practical outcomes. A focus group provided a unique interactive assessment of consumers' understanding of the usefulness and critical research needs in developing a tamper-evident device.     

African American female faculty at large research universities: Their need for information

African American female faculty at large research universities are given the same responsibilities as other faculty. They must teach, conduct research, engage in worthwhile service to the university community, and regularly disseminate the results of their work in scholarly publications. Rewards from the university are directly tied to the level of success that the faculty member experiences. The minority label is often a barrier to the African American female faculty member's search for full standing in the university's community of scholars. To overcome this barrier, African American women must find and use the best information available to help them. This includes finding a good mentor, mastering a variety of information sources, and building a strong personal and professional network.Melvin M. Bowie is an associate professor and graduate coordinator in the Department of Instructional Technology at the University of Georgia. She received her A.B. degree in history and French from Tougaloo College; an M.S. in library science from the University of Illinois; and, a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instructional Media from Iowa State University. Her current research interests, including studies carried out for the National Reading Research Center, focus on collection development and resource-based teaching. Her teaching areas include technical services in school media centers, collection development, and administration of school media programs.