Analyzing data from students in the NCES High School Longitudinal Study dataset, we drew upon expectancy-value theory to examine the role of student motivation (measured by self-efficacy, identity, utility, and interest), as mediators between 9th grade math test scores and final math GPA for autistic students. In predicting final high school math…

The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of academic success of South African students. The study focused on 164 first to fourth year students. The extent to which students' grade 12 performance, the type of high school they attended and their academic self-concepts contributed to their academic success during the entry and…

In response to concerns expressed by high school counselors, the researchers developed a quantitative Likert-scale survey to examine the relationships between academic performance (defined as school attendance and final grades) and recreational video gaming and texting. Questions about video gaming and texting were included with other questions…

Increasing dropout rates in senior high school physical education, particularly among females, and unhealthy activity and obesity levels in youth have led to recommendations to assess potential contributing factors in physical education participation. Drawing from gender, body image, and social-cognitive theory, this study investigated relations…

Eighteen ninth-graders participated in cognitive-behavior modification program designed to change adolescents' self-statements and increase their self-esteem. Compared to nine control subjects, program participants had significant increase in positive self-statements immediately after training and three months later. There were no significant…

Researchers examined the degree to which the teacher, past academic success, and student's sex influenced the self-concepts of ninth and tenth grade geometry students. Teacher influence and past academic success exerted more impact on geometry students' self-concepts than did their sex. (Author/PP)

Urban African American males face complex barriers to learning and achievement. A Washington, D.C., school has designed a ninth-grade program that effectively enhances youngsters' self-concept and allows them to succeed academically. Ninth graders attend most classes in the Annex, a personalized, caring environment that subverts negative aspects…

A motivational model of school performance, based on the theoretical framework of Deci and Ryan (1985) and structural equation modeling, was prepared and tested with 263 Montreal (Canada) 9th graders. Perceived academic competence and perceived academic self-determination positively influenced autonomous academic motivation, which had a positive…

Examined effectiveness of 14-week program to build self-esteem with at-risk ninth-grade students by comparing participants (n=35) to no-treatment controls (n=33). Concluded that program, based on concepts of rational emotive therapy, was effective in improving self-concept, self-management, and academic achievement. (Author/NB)

Path analysis was used to test the influence of writing self-efficacy, self-concept, apprehension, and aptitude on the essay-writing performance of 181 ninth-grade students in a public high school in the southwestern United States. A model that also included gender accounted for 53% of the variance in performance. As hypothesized, both aptitude…

Assessed the effects of 2 different types of group counseling on at-risk characteristics of ninth-grade high school students (n=36). Assessed effects of groups on self-concept, school attendance, grade point average, and number of disciplinary referrals. Self-esteem of all group members increased. Groups had specific effects when compared with one…

This study evaluated a career education program for 141 ninth grade students at Kemper County High School in rural Mississippi in an effort to reduce the dropout rate and increase career awareness. A mental health counselor gave students monthly instruction on career issues necessary for vocational life after high school graduation. A local…

The relationships among identity, school engagement, and goal attainment for African American adolescents in urban public high schools were studied with 63 ninth graders. In bi-weekly workshops, information was obtained about student dreams and goals, self-concepts, and knowledge of what they needed to do to attain their goals. To explore…

This teaching guide represents the 9th grade career guidance unit, one of a 5-part series of activity books for students in grades 8 through 12. Each unit is presented as a 2-week long program, with supplemental activities included to allow expansion to 4 weeks. Introductory suggestions to facilitators are provided, focusing on activity…

Developed hero/heroine intervention based on adult Puerto Rican role models to foster ethnic identity, self-concept, and adaptive coping behavior. Screened 90 Puerto Rican eighth and ninth graders for presenting behavior problems in school and randomly assigned them to intervention or control groups. After 19 sessions, intervention significantly…