A study investigated a decline in student achievement and related issues that was associated with a drop of 1.60 points on the mean achievement scores of 9th graders attending high school in Kosrae, Micronesia on the Secondary Level English Proficiency test. Research questions included the following: (1) What knowledge and skills are emphasized at grade 8? (2) What instructional materials are used at grades 8 and 9? (3) What teaching and assessment methods are used at both grade levels? (4) What are the teacher expectations for incoming 9th graders? (5) How is student learning occurring at grades 8 and 9? (6) How well do the students understand the grading standards at grades 8 and 9? (7) What skills are most helpful at grade 8? (8) What skills are most needed at grade 9? (9) What activities are helpful at grades 8 and 9? Surveys were sent to all 10 eighth grade teachers, all 11 ninth grade teachers, 168 eighth grade students, and 180 ninth grade students. Findings and their implications are discussed. Survey instruments are appended. (RH)