In a study investigating the effects of an early entrance to college program on self-esteem, students in the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) completed the Adult Form of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI) the week they began and again after one semester of participation in the program, a time period when the greatest changes in self-esteem would be anticipated. Overall differences between TAMS pretests and posttests were nonsignificant or negligible, indicating that the students' self-esteem did not change in a meaningful way during their first semester in the program. A number of items on the SEI showed significant changes, all in a negative direction. On the pretest, TAMS students did not differ significantly from subjects in SEI normative groups on any items. On the posttest, however, there were some differences in a negative direction. Observed changes in self-esteem may be attributed to the adjustment that all college freshmen experience when they leave home for the first time, as well as to changes in social comparisons.
T he Texas Academy of Mathe matics and Science is a new program offered through the University of North Texas. Two main purposes of the program are to provide an educational opportunity for gifted and talented students from the state of Texas, and to reduce the shortage of mathennatics and science professionals. The Academy is a 2-year, residential, early-admissions, university program for gifted students who demon strate an aptitude for mathematics and science. The program's excellent mathematics and science instriKtion will prepare its students for fields such as engineering, physics, chemistry, and biology.Approximately 100 Texas high school juniors will be accepted for the first Academy class in the fall semester of 1988 and another 100 students will be accepted in the fall of 1989. After that, 200 juniors will be accepted each year. At full size, the Academy will consist of 400 high school juniors and seniors.In contrast to advanced high schools established for similar purposes in other states, the Texas Academy is a university program. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a high school diploma from the Academy and approximately 2 years of college credit. Academy graduates will be rising college juniors when most of their peers are completing high school. Graduates of the Academy n a y finish the balarKe of their college studies at the University of North Texas, or transfer to another insfitution. Students will be able to finish college earlier than usual or take extra course work in preparation for graduate degrees.Students will live in a special section of a campus residence hall. A live-in staff will plan extra-curricular activities for the students, irKluding recreatiorutl 40-July/August, 1988-GCT sports, educational programs, cultural events, and social programs such as proms.Programs designed to promote cooperation and enhance social skills will complement the enriched educa tion provided through the university. Many gifted students find traditional secondary school programs lack the challenge necessary to develop their full potential. The Academy will offer edu cational stimulation in a setting where staff will provide attention to individual personal needs. In addition, students will benefit from interaction with other able learners.Students will be placed in honors classes with other university students taught by full-time university faculty members. Although mathematics and science courses will be emphasized, s t u d e n t s will also receive solid instruction in other areas through an individualized program. Some humani ties and social science courses will be taught through the university's Classic Learning Core, an integrated program coordinated by the College of Arts and Sciences. Academy participants will also have the opportunity to work with faculty members on research and special projects. Internship and mentor programs are also planned.University tuition and fees will be paid by the Academy, and students will only be responsible for room, board, books, and spending money (a...
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