English 102 - Fall 2008

Traditional calculations of graduation rates ignore students who succeed in graduating but don't do it in four years.

Children and teenagers who play violent video games show increased physical aggression months afterward, according to new research that adds another layer of evidence to the continuing debate over the video-game habits of the youngest generation.

This article focuses on the relationship between athletes and academics with the use of statistics. The author used statistics to compare the different affects of variables such as athletic facilities, administration advisors, and outside influences including media. He compared academic performance of non-athletes and athletes as well. Lawrence provides valid information attaining to academic support, however its mainly comparative data.

In a case study performed at the University of Minnesota, the authors developed a consensus about the determining factors linked to the correlation of academic performance and student athletes. They used these results to produce helpful ideas, useful for improving academic standards within universities athletic programs. Such recommendations ranged from academic support availability to university alum involvement. These findings give readers an idea and understanding of the requirements needed to have a successful academic support program in a university, however these results are also limited by the fact that the study was performed only at the University of Minnesota.

The authors explore the significance of different opportunities provided by college recreational sports (CRS) and its affect on student-athletes. They came to the conclusion from their study that academic performance excels when academic standards are brought to the administration first. Their results can help inform academic and athletic administrators, students, and the general public of the importance of continued support for recreational sports in college, and not just intercollegiate sports.

The author describes the necessary means needed to take place in order to get college academic programs up to par and back on track with ideal standards. He argues a convincing argument on how to attain an athletic program geared toward having sufficient academic outcomes. According to the author, the answer to achieve such a goal "lies within the organizational placement of athletics within the academic administrative structure" (12). Nonetheless, both student advisors and student athletes themselves play an important role in the outcome of their academic achievement. With adequate research, the author provides information that is valuable for this study at hand.

This article examines the affects and consequences of illegal academic scandals. It discusses the impact of scandals, such as bumping test scores up so students can pass, and who it affects most. Kihl et al. came to the conclusion that the players themselves suffer the most. The team takes the hardest hit for academic scandals and other such corruptions. Although this article contains useful information, it only focuses on men's basketball program at a university.

In this article, the author analyzes academic success through the eyes of athletes, which is rarely discussed or reviewed. He notes that controversy, surrounding suspect graduation rates, poor test score requirements, tutor scandals, and more, have been a problem for several years. Focusing on certain details related to academic struggles for student athletes, the author provides information that helps relate academics and athletics from a different perspective.

This article discusses the addition of academic support programs on campuses and the increased student athlete advisory support at universities. Many state that their reason for such an addition is due to the new academic rules set by the NCAA. Although many universities are deciding to add new programs, increasing academic support is nothing new. Several colleges have faced scrutiny along the way for spending too much money on facilities and personnel necessary for improving academic programs. The authors do a great job of expressing the importance and need for such academic programs and support.

First in a series of occasional short takes on unusual courses in local schools.

More than three-fourths of young women, those ages 18-29 and known as Generation Y, want incoming President Barack Obama to make civil rights and racial justice top priorities of his administration, a survey says.

How the moving image is upending the printed word.

Hanging out online helps teenagers develop "technological skills and literacy," a researcher on a new study said.

The University of Illinois said Monday that it would allow employees to display political bumper stickers, wear political buttons and attend political rallies on campus, reversing an earlier interpretation of state ethics law that has drawn sharp criticism.

Passing rates plunged among Illinois ' bilingual students this year after they were given the same exams as other students, and dozens of public schools have been deemed failing as a result.

High schoolers are being hired by community groups to teach children about healthy eating and living

In an age of carefully scheduled activities and educational pressure, child development specialists advocate more playtime for children.

An article about how high school students, most too young to vote, are getting involved in the political process.

Brain scans are helping neurologists and other scientists develop new learning techniques.

Complex diet regimens are starting to look like exotic mortgages and, just like a reliable savings account, good old calorie counting is coming back into fashion.