The Middle School Transition in Private Schools

The Middle School Transition in Private Schools PDF Author: Eileen Irby Atkinson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Middle school students
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Students transitioning into the middle school often experience difficulty adjusting to their new environment. During this transition, declines in academic motivation, academic achievement, and connectedness have been noted. Most research on this transition has taken place in public school settings. This research investigated the impact of the middle school transition in a private school setting. This study examined students' perceptions of the middle school transition as it related to the connectedness students perceived to their new school, those individuals whom students perceived as most helpful during their transition, academic motivation and achievement following the transition, and perceived helpfulness of transition activities conducted by the school. In addition, the study examined significant differences of the transition experience based on gender and race. Five hundred and two private middle school students in 35 private schools in Virginia completed a paper and pencil survey in which they responded to 47 questions regarding their transition into middle school. It was found that students generally felt connected to middle school, and the number of extracurricular activities in which a student participated did not appear to correlate significantly with connectedness. Most new middle school students did not perceive their transition experience as difficult. Middle school teachers, parents and friends appeared to be the most helpful to students during their transition. As compared to elementary school, newly transitioned middle school students were more academically motivated, and academic achievement showed a slight improvement in middle school. Students reported that visits made to the middle school as an elementary student were most helpful to their transition, and that the summer orientation and tour were also found to be helpful. Males perceived parents, middle school teachers and elementary school counselors as more helpful to their transition than did females, who considered friends most helpful. Parents were perceived as most helpful to the transition by Asian students. Caucasians reported higher academic achievement in middle school than African American students, and African American students perceived their academic achievement as higher than that of Hispanic students. African American students, more than any of the other groups represented, believed that the information given to the middle school by the elementary school was very helpful to their transition. Native American students, and students identifying their race as "Other" felt that the assignment of an older middle school buddy was more helpful to the transition than did Caucasian or Hispanic students. In terms of the relative contribution of the variables to the prediction of ease of transition, the number of transition activities has the greatest influence, followed by level of support from others, perception of connectedness to middle school, and middle school academic performance.

The Middle School Transition in Private Schools

The Middle School Transition in Private Schools PDF Author: Eileen Irby Atkinson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Middle school students
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book Here

Book Description
Students transitioning into the middle school often experience difficulty adjusting to their new environment. During this transition, declines in academic motivation, academic achievement, and connectedness have been noted. Most research on this transition has taken place in public school settings. This research investigated the impact of the middle school transition in a private school setting. This study examined students' perceptions of the middle school transition as it related to the connectedness students perceived to their new school, those individuals whom students perceived as most helpful during their transition, academic motivation and achievement following the transition, and perceived helpfulness of transition activities conducted by the school. In addition, the study examined significant differences of the transition experience based on gender and race. Five hundred and two private middle school students in 35 private schools in Virginia completed a paper and pencil survey in which they responded to 47 questions regarding their transition into middle school. It was found that students generally felt connected to middle school, and the number of extracurricular activities in which a student participated did not appear to correlate significantly with connectedness. Most new middle school students did not perceive their transition experience as difficult. Middle school teachers, parents and friends appeared to be the most helpful to students during their transition. As compared to elementary school, newly transitioned middle school students were more academically motivated, and academic achievement showed a slight improvement in middle school. Students reported that visits made to the middle school as an elementary student were most helpful to their transition, and that the summer orientation and tour were also found to be helpful. Males perceived parents, middle school teachers and elementary school counselors as more helpful to their transition than did females, who considered friends most helpful. Parents were perceived as most helpful to the transition by Asian students. Caucasians reported higher academic achievement in middle school than African American students, and African American students perceived their academic achievement as higher than that of Hispanic students. African American students, more than any of the other groups represented, believed that the information given to the middle school by the elementary school was very helpful to their transition. Native American students, and students identifying their race as "Other" felt that the assignment of an older middle school buddy was more helpful to the transition than did Caucasian or Hispanic students. In terms of the relative contribution of the variables to the prediction of ease of transition, the number of transition activities has the greatest influence, followed by level of support from others, perception of connectedness to middle school, and middle school academic performance.

Understanding the Middle School Transition

Understanding the Middle School Transition PDF Author: Evan Reppun Beachy
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780542968853
Category : Elementary schools
Languages : en
Pages : 690

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Book Description
The transition students make when they move from elementary to a middle school settings is shown in current research to result in social development challenges and a decrease in academic performance on standardized tests. Private independent schools represent a group of schools that have not been included in current research on the transition to middle school. This study surveyed directors of private independent schools to gain an understanding of the types of challenges these schools face, and the types of programs these schools employ to assist students to make the transition. Three schools were then selected for site visits. These site visits consisted of interviews with school directors, focus group interviews with teachers of transitional students, and focus group interviews with parents of transitional students. The findings of this study confirmed that private independent schools face many of the same challenges enumerated in current research literature, but also face challenges that reflect their individual and independent nature. The findings also confirmed these schools employ a variety of creative programs which are perceived to be effective by directors, teachers, and parents. This study concludes that more systematic transitional planning must occur in these private independent schools, and more formalized feedback loops must be established. Recruiting and retaining high quality faculty members to facilitate smooth transitions is an ongoing challenge for private independent schools.

Beyond the Brochure

Beyond the Brochure PDF Author: Christina Simon
Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub
ISBN: 9781439245880
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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Book Description
With too many applications and limited openings at private elementary schools in Los Angeles, this book answers questions about the admissions process and how to give your child that competitive edge.

You Got Into Where?

You Got Into Where? PDF Author: Joi Wade
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781365159718
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 116

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Book Description
""You Got Into Where?"" is the first college admissions guide written by a student who is fresh out of the college admissions process. Learn how I was admitted to schools like the University of Southern California and New York University with full tuition scholarships. The guide features copies of my admissions essay, writing supplement, and activities resume that I used to apply to college the fall of my senior year. Get advice on all the secrets of the admissions process from start to finish. ""I can't believe that a 17 year-old has written a college admissions books that is so well-written, clear and accurate. No wonder USC jumped at the chance to have her become their student. My sense of things is that mostly parents read college admissions books; high school students just don't want to take the time. Given what she says and how she says it, I truly believe that teens will rush to read "You Got Into Where?" It is well worth their time."" -Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz Author, adMISSION POSSIBLE

The Emergence of the Middle School in Independent Education

The Emergence of the Middle School in Independent Education PDF Author: Lawrence S. Sykoff
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Mentoring in the professions
Languages : en
Pages : 246

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Book Description
Independent schools across the nation have adopted the middle school concept. The critical element in the evolution of the middle school in independent education is that the unique and marked changes in the overall intellectual and psycho-social development of adolescents have been systematically identified and integrated into a multi-divisional (K-12) structure. The literature and statistical information documenting the emergence of the middle school in independent education has been minimal. While contemporary research on public middle schools is extensive, very little data collection or theoretical models have been accumulated about the middle school movement in the private sector. The present study sought to document and analyze the process by which independent school administrators have not only realigned their curricula, but reorganized their educational programs in order to meet the inclusive needs of students during pre and early adolescence. This research utilized the survey method to elicit information from independent middle school educators about the nature of their programs. A questionnaire, incorporating both open-ended and forced-choice questions, was designed to identify the factors that shaped trends and practices in middle level education. Five research objectives were developed to gather information about organizational change and grade level patterns, administrative reasons for adopting the middle school concept, successes of the middle school, achievements associated with middle schools, and the characteristics of effective middle schools. This research indicated that the independent middle school has emerged as a separate and distinct entity from its divisional partners in the lower and upper school. A model for shared divisional alliances among the lower, middle and upper school divisions was identified as essential in the promotion of successful grade level matriculation. Independent school educators have created a climate and culture that integrate the multidimensional aspects of adolescent maturation into the learning process. That is, the K-12 structure utilizes the middle school as part of an overall program that acknowledges and organizes sequential periods of transition. In this context the middle school maintains, reinforces, and facilitates the development of the child into adolescence. The study concludes with a set of implications and recommendations for additional research.

Promoting a Successful Transition to Middle School

Promoting a Successful Transition to Middle School PDF Author: Patrick Akos
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317919165
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 136

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Book Description
With detailed examples of best practices from middle schools across the country, this book features research-based strategies and suggestions for transition programs. It covers the roles of school principals, counselors, classroom teachers, and the central office.

Students' School Transition Patterns Between 8th and 10th Grades, Based on NELS:88

Students' School Transition Patterns Between 8th and 10th Grades, Based on NELS:88 PDF Author: David E Myers
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : High school students
Languages : en
Pages : 74

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Book Description


Students' school transition patterns between 8th and 10th grades, based on NELS:88

Students' school transition patterns between 8th and 10th grades, based on NELS:88 PDF Author:
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1428928081
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 66

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Book Description


Minimizing Transition Loss

Minimizing Transition Loss PDF Author: Carol J. Christian
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1475842724
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 73

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Book Description
The transition from middle school to high school poses as one of the most challenging transitions students will make in their academic career in grades K-12. The transition from grade eight to grade posts the greatest loss with the highest dropout rates nationally occurring during this transition. This book shares authentic examples through story telling of the situations students have experienced during their transition to high school. Also included in this book are intervention strategies schools could implement to counter the downward spiral. This book opens dialog and increases communication among teachers, parents and administrators with the goal of seeking solutions and implementing transition activities that increase the chances of student and school success.

Middle School Handbook

Middle School Handbook PDF Author: Harry Finks
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Middle schools
Languages : en
Pages : 80

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Book Description
The middle school provides a planned transition from childhood to young adulthood: it moves a student from the protective nurture of elementary school to the more depersonalized high school setting gradually, sensitively, and by design. Composed of the ideas from middle school education that each of the educators who choose this wonderful level of educational concentration seem to discover over and over again, this handbook is divided into six sections. The first and second sections introduce the middle schooler and cover the history and focus of middle schools. Section 3 discusses such topics associated with the middle school curriculum as sexuality and physical education, evaluation and grading, and scheduling. Sections 4 and 5 are dedicated to middle school educators--teachers and the principal--and the middle schooler's parents. The sixth section highlights important middle school issues including advisors, behavior, leadership and participation, mixed-age groups, multicultural education, networking, and transition. Intended to become a workbook for each of its readers, this document has wide margins to make room for personal stories and anecdotes. Topics covered in the appendices include learning and learners, boldness, middle school teachers, parent peer groups, middle and upper school cooperation, and the resources used for this document. (KM)