This sixth chapter in "The Challenge of Counseling in Middle Schools" presents four articles on academic achievement in early adolescence. "Succeeding in Middle School: A Multimodal Approach," by Edwin Gerler, Jr., Nancy Shannon Drew, and Phyllis Mohr, describes a study conducted to examine the effects of the multimodal program, "Succeeding in…

The study explored the relationship among learning style, self report or self concept, academic achievement, and academic aptitude of 60 academically gifted fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. Ss were administered the Learning Style Inventory, Piers-Harris Self-Concept Scale, California Achievement Test, and California Short Form of Academic…

Evaluation forms used to determine the skills and knowledge as well as behavior patterns of students in Jordan Junior High School and Marshall-University High School, both in Minneapolis, are provided. (For related document, see TM 003 251.) (DB)

A card used by the Cambridge Junior High School (Minnesota) to advise parents of the pupil's progress is provided. The card is based on 100 total points which are divided into several categories to reveal a student's academic and social progress. The categories are: test results, lab work, daily work, discipline in class, attitude toward subject,…

Four groups of gifted, underachieving students in the intermediate grades were established for purposes of providing varied treatment to improve personal adjustment and academic achievement. The four groups were the human relations group, which was oriented to group discussion of feelings and interpersonal dynamics, the academic group, which…

The overview of Project Gifted begins with an explanation of eight program assumptions: that the gifted are not the academically talented in need of greater intellectual stimulation, that the gifted need stimulation and interaction, that the gifted need the special attention of the teacher, that the children learn in diverse ways, that learning…

The relationships among handwriting rate, academic achievement, and the completion of written assignments were investigated in a sample of 119 sixth-grade students. Each student completed instruments measuring rate of rapid and casual handwriting, legibility, copying rate, completion of written assignments, and self-concept. Results indicated that…

Presents data from a study investigating whether pupil involvement in tasks was different for high, middle, and low achievers. Results of the study are presented in nine tables. (BR)

A study examined the interrelationship of 322 fifth- through eighth-grade students' television viewing patterns, school achievement, and intelligence quotient, using television show content preference as a possible correlational factor. Results confirm other research findings showing small negative relations among television viewing, achievement,…

Describes a study which compared the effects of a keyboard learning approach and a traditional general music approach on sixth-grade general music students' music achievement, attitudes toward music, and self-concept regarding music ability. (Author/RM)

A factor analysis of eight subtest scores and three subtotal scores of the Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS) Forms showed one common factor, and did not lend support to the usefulness of subtotal scores or subtest scores. (Author/GK)

Reports a study of 341 fourth, fifth, and sixth graders in which amount of television viewing time, gathered from one-month diaries, was examined in relationship to achievement as measured by standardized test scores. Findings were inconclusive. Data on TV viewing amounts and patterns are included. (SJL)

Personality and behavioral consequences of learned helplessness were monitored in children experiencing failure in school. The predictive quality of learned helplessness theory was compared with that of value expectancy theories. Low self-concept was predicted significantly by school failure, internal attributions for failure, and external…

Examined relationship between relative age and achievement in middle school by investigating standardized mathematics and reading scores for 933 students. Found significant differences among relative age groups in only one area, sixth-grade reading. Found no main effect for gender and no interaction between age and gender in sixth, seventh, or…

A well-designed peer or cross-age teaching program can significantly improve academic achievement and interpersonal growth among middle-level students. Effective peer programs are the result of systematic planning, training, supervision, and evaluation. When planning peer-helping program, administrators must consider need, philosophy, design, and…