High School Research Articles

21st Century Teachers and Pupils’ Perception on the Use of Tests as a Form of Assessment in Senior High Schools in Ghana

This study explores the perceptions of 21st-century teachers and pupils on the use of tests as a form of assessment in senior high schools in Ghana. Grounded in the Constructivist Learning Theory, which emphasizes active knowledge construction and diverse assessment methods, the study examines whether tests adequately capture critical 21st-century skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. The research objectives focus on evaluating differences in perceptions regarding the effectiveness, fairness, and relevance of tests. Employing a descriptive survey design with a quantitative approach, the study sampled 300 respondents, including 100 teachers and 200 pupils, across five senior high schools in Ghana’s Northern Region. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, which was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and independent samples t-tests, in SPSS. The study assessed three hypotheses, testing for significant differences between teachers’ and pupils’ perceptions of tests in assessing student learning. The findings indicate no statistically significant differences in perceptions between teachers and pupils regarding the effectiveness (t = -0.771, p = 0.441), fairness (t = -1.076, p = 0.283), and relevance (t = -1.057, p = 0.291) of tests. This suggests that both groups share similar views on traditional assessments, recognizing their utility while acknowledging potential limitations. These results underscore the need for a balanced approach to assessment, integrating alternative methods such as projects and performance-based tasks alongside traditional testing. The study highlights the importance of re-evaluating assessment strategies in senior high schools to align with modern educational goals. It recommends greater stakeholder engagement in assessment policy formulation and the incorporation of diverse assessment methods to enhance student learning outcomes. Future research should explore contextual factors influencing assessment perceptions and investigate the impact of alternative assessment techniques on academic performance.

Learning to Teach Physics: Ohm´s Law and Autonomy Pathways in the Apprenticeship of a Teacher Trainee

ABSTRACT The articulation and juxtaposition of different types of knowledge in science classes is a challenge for initial teachers. This article analyzes the teaching practices of a future physics teacher during high school classes on Ohm’s Law. It uses the Autonomy dimension of Legitimation Code Theory to examine how discourse moves between different types of knowledge and purposes. The study focuses on two classes in which the teacher guides the interactions with the students on the calculation of current, voltage and resistance using Ohm’s Law. The analysis traces the transitions between the different autonomy codes as the discussions more or less align with the content and the learning objectives. The results show that the exchanges frequently changed between closely aligning with the concepts and purposes of Ohm’s Law and diverging toward more tangential mathematical procedures or everyday examples, amid different paths of Autonomy. The resident had difficulty maintaining interactions within the sovereign code despite his intentions to link experimental data and calculations. Monitoring Autonomy pathways helps identify obstacles that initial teachers encounter when coordinating content, objectives, and student participation during classroom instruction. Finally, the implications of this research are discussed, considering how the Autonomy dimension can contribute to initial teacher training.

The Impact of an Educational Project on Cancer-Related Knowledge and Awareness Among High School Students.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, making it a significant global health issue. Approximately half of cancer cases are linked solely to behavioral habits. Lifestyle changes made at a young age are easier to adopt and have lasting effects on future health, making early awareness about cancer essential. The "OncoAcademy: The Key to Health" project, aimed at high school Polish students, has been created to promote a positive health attitude and increase awareness among young people about cancer and methods of its prevention. From September 2023 to November 2024, we conducted educational sessions for 3000 high school students and assessed their cancer prevention knowledge before and after the project. Results revealed that students' level of knowledge before classes was moderate (M = 51.76%; SD = 13.63%). On average, students correctly answered 13 of 26 questions. After classes, the level of knowledge was assessed as moderately good (M = 62.47%; SD = 14.48%). On average, students correctly answered 16 out of 26 questions. The analysis revealed a statistically significant difference between the general level of knowledge-after classes, students achieved significantly better scores. This study highlighted changes in students' awareness and knowledge about cancer brought about by implementing a cancer education project. Generally, high school students in Poland have basic knowledge about cancer and its risk factors. Most adolescents are aware of the significant impact of lifestyle on cancer risk. Early education on cancer prevention, mainly aimed at lifestyle changes, is crucial. Enhancing adolescents' understanding of risk factors can play a significant role in lowering future cancer rates.

Trends in Mental and Behavioral Health Risks in Adolescents: 1999-2021.

To identify distinct profiles of adolescent mental and behavioral health risks and variation over cohorts and demographic strata from 1999 through 2021. We expected increased mental health risks and decreased behavioral health risks. We analyzed repeated, cross-sectional, nationally representative samples of high school students from the 1991-2021 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (N = 178 658) using latent class analysis. Adolescents self-reported mental and behavioral health risk behaviors, including internalizing (depressive symptoms, suicidality), substance use (alcohol, marijuana use), sexual risk behaviors (number of sexual partners, effective birth control), and violence (weapons carriage, fighting). We identified 5 distinct profiles. The largest group, Low Everything (48% of adolescents), grew notably in prevalence from 1999 to 2021. The smallest, High Internalizing (9% of adolescents), also grew. High Sex (20%), High Everything (13%), and High Substance Use (10%) all decreased, with all trajectories strengthening between 2019 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Younger adolescents predominated in the Low Everything and High Internalizing profiles, and older adolescents predominated in the High Sex and High Everything profiles. Females were more prevalent in the High Internalizing and High Sex profiles, and males were more prevalent in the High Everything and High Substance Use profiles. White adolescents were overrepresented in the High Substance Use profile, and youth of color were overrepresented in the other profiles. Results showing decreasing proportions of adolescents reporting comorbid mental and behavioral health risks or behavioral health risks only, but increases in mental health problems only, help to identify and target key populations for prevention and treatment efforts.

Vaccine hesitancy and acceptance among hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study in Turkey

BackgroundVaccine hesitancy remains a significant issue threatening public health. The study aimed to determine the vaccination status of patients undergoing hemodialysis for chronic kidney disease and to analyze their levels of vaccine hesitancy.MethodsThis cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in hemodialysis centers located in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire capturing sociodemographic details, comorbidities, vaccination history, and hesitancy levels, coupled with the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale (VHS), a 9-item tool validated in Turkish that measures trust in vaccines and perceived risks.ResultsAmong the 548 participants (mean age: 60.4 ± 12.9 years, range: 18–93; 57.8% male), 38.9% had a high school education or higher, and 52.7% reported income below their expenses. Despite 92.7% having received at least one vaccine during adulthood, knowledge about vaccines was limited, with only 7.7% answering all vaccine-related questions correctly. Influenza (73.4%) and hepatitis B (58.4%) were the most administered vaccines. The median VHS score was 32 (range: 11–45), with 84.7% scoring above 25, reflecting low overall hesitancy. Participants who identified physicians (76.6%) and healthcare workers (57.5%) as trusted sources of vaccine information tended to have lower hesitancy scores (p < 0.001). No significant associations were found between hesitancy and gender, education, income level, or general health perception.ConclusionsWhile vaccination rates among hemodialysis patients are relatively high, critical gaps in knowledge persist, emphasizing the need for targeted educational programs. The active involvement of healthcare professionals is crucial to reduce hesitancy and enhance vaccine confidence in this vulnerable population.

Researching dialects with high school students: a citizen science approach

Researching dialects with high school students: a citizen science approach

Factors associated with cigarette smoking among learners at a high school in KwaZulu-Natal

Background: Young smokers are said to have increased risk of nicotine addiction, even at lower levels of consumption compared to adults, making smoking cessation among this group much more difficult. A survey previously conducted in South Africa indicated an early smoking debut age of below 18 years.Aim: This study investigated the prevalence of cigarette smoking and associated factors among high school learners.Setting: The study was conducted at a high school located in Madadeni township of KwaZulu- Natal.Methods: This cross-sectional study collected data through interviews using self-administered questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted on Epi Info 7 and STATA 17.Results: Eighty-four (21%) of the 400 participants reported smoking cigarettes. Of these, forty-nine (58.3%) had a smoking friend. Sixty out of 81 (74.1%) accessed cigarettes from the shops, whilst 69.2% (n = 54/78) smoked inside the school premises. Seventy-seven (92.7%) of 83 smokers expressed intention to quit smoking. Higher odds of cigarette smoking were observed among participants who were male and those who had a smoking family member, respectively, (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.29–4.17) and (AOR = 5.82, 95% CI = 3.08–11.0), p = 0.05.Conclusion: This study found 21% of high school learner participants who smoked cigarettes. Laws prohibiting smoking in schools and sale of cigarettes to minors should be reinforced.Contribution: intention to quit cigarette smoking as expressed by smoking learners calls for the establishment of school-based programme for smoking cessation.

Impact of Pitching on Infraspinatus Muscle Elasticity in High School Baseball Pitchers: A Continuous Shear Wave Elastography Study

Background/Objectives: The repetitive overhead throwing of baseball stresses the posterior shoulder, including the rotator cuff and capsule, causing stiffness, tissue thickening, and dysfunction. Previous studies on collegiate baseball players have linked these changes to glenohumeral internal rotation deficits, pain, and injuries. However, these studies primarily used acoustic radiation force impulse-based shear wave elastography (SWE), which has limitations, including tissue heating and lack of portability. The acute effects of pitching on infraspinatus (ISP) muscle elasticity in high school pitchers remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the acute impact of pitching on ISP muscle elasticity in high school baseball pitchers using continuous SWE (C-SWE), which is a safer and more portable method. The relationship between ISP muscle elasticity and pitching load was also examined. Methods: ISP muscle shear wave velocity (SWV), shoulder range of motion, and strength were evaluated in high school baseball pitchers. The participants were categorized into pitching and non-pitching groups based on whether they pitched with full effort on the day of their medical checkup. C-SWE was used to assess ISP muscle elasticity. Results: The pitching group had considerably higher ISP muscle SWV on the dominant side than the non-pitching group (p = 0.008). A significant positive correlation was observed between pitch and ISP muscle SWV (r = 0.467, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Repetitive pitching acutely increases ISP muscle stiffness in high school pitchers, contributing to posterior shoulder tightness. C-SWE is a safe and practical method for assessing tissue elasticity and developing injury prevention strategies.

Factors associated with oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices among legal guardians of preschool children in the Peruvian capital

BackgroundLegal guardians frequently serve as role models for their children. The habits they instill in their children may prove effective strategies for establishing healthy oral hygiene behaviors. The present study examined the factors associated with the level of oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices among legal guardians of preschool children in the Peruvian capital. Furthermore, the correlation between knowledge, attitudes, and practices in oral health was assessed.MethodsThis cross-sectional, analytical study evaluated 560 legal guardians of preschool children from 30 private educational institutions between July and December 2022. A validated 20-question questionnaire was employed to assess legal guardians’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding oral health. Pearson’s chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test were utilized for bivariate analysis. For multivariate analysis, a Poisson regression model with robust variance was applied using the adjusted prevalence ratio (APR). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.ResultsA total of 82.3%, 76.2%, and 78.4% of legal guardians showed insufficient knowledge, unfavorable attitudes, and incorrect practices in oral health, respectively. The results indicated that legal guardians with high school and non-university higher education were 5.62 and 4.17 times, respectively, more likely to have insufficient oral health knowledge than those with university higher education. The same legal guardians were 6.18 and 5.02 times more likely to have an unfavorable attitude towards oral health than those with a university education (APR = 6.18, 95% CI 2.88–13.26 and APR = 5.02, 95% CI 2.32–10.90, respectively). Furthermore, these legal guardians were 4.35 and 3.08 times more likely to have incorrect oral health practices compared to those with university education (APR = 4.35; 95% CI: 2.39–7.90, and APR = 3.08; 95% CI: 1.66–5.69, respectively). On the other hand, legal guardians with a monthly family income of less than 270 USD were 14% and 15% less likely to have unfavorable attitudes and incorrect practices, respectively, compared to those with an income of 270 USD or more (APR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.78–0.95, and APR = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.77–0.93, respectively). Finally, there was a moderate direct correlation between knowledge and attitudes (Rho = 0.56, 95% CI 0.51–0.62), knowledge and practices (Rho = 0.59, 95% CI 0.53–0.65), and attitudes and practices (Rho = 0.43, 95% CI 0.36–0.50).ConclusionThe majority of legal guardians had insufficient knowledge, unfavorable attitudes, and incorrect practices in oral health. High school and non-university higher education were risk factors for poor knowledge, unfavorable attitudes, and incorrect practices. Having a monthly family income of less than 270 USD was a protective factor for unfavorable attitudes and incorrect practices. Finally, a moderate direct correlation was identified between legal guardians’ oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

Social Determinants of Health and No-Show Clinic Appointments in Children with 22q11.2-Related Disorders.

ObjectiveChildren with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) present with complex medical challenges and often are followed by multiple specialists. Healthcare for these patients may be influenced by demographic and socioeconomic factors. This study's aim is to identify factors correlated with no-show clinic visits for these children.DesignRetrospective cohort studySettingTertiary care hospitalParticipantsPediatric patients with a diagnosis of 22q11.2DS. Patients without appointment attendance or socioeconomic data were excluded.InterventionsNoneMain Outcomes and MeasuresTo identify potential healthcare disparities, the patient's home address was cross-referenced with the GeoMarker database to define socioeconomic variables. We analyzed the rate of no-show clinic appointments to identify associations with socioeconomic, racial, or ethnic factors.ResultsOf the 198 patients with 22q11.2DS were included in this study. These patients were scheduled for 2049 visits with the 22q11.2 multidisciplinary clinic (22qMDC) and 8708 additional clinic visits within the institution. The median 22qMDC no-show rate was 0% [interquartile range-IQR: 0, 9.78] and 4.35% [IQR: 0, 15.00] for other clinic appointments. Socioeconomic factors associated with clinic no-show included Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, lower median household income, lower fraction of population with high school diploma, higher fraction of population below the poverty line, and higher fraction of population that required assisted income.ConclusionsThese findings highlight potential influences of socioeconomic factors on no-show clinic appointments in children with 22q11.2DS. These factors can be used to develop targeted interventions aimed at improving clinic attendance and ultimately elevating patient outcomes.

The Development of Comic Learning Media on The Human Respiratory System Topic to Facilitate Student Health Literacy

Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) and the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) identify an increase in the prevalence of smokers among teenagers, indicating low health literacy among junior high school students. To address this, interactive learning media were developed to facilitate student health literacy. This research focused on developing comics as a learning medium for the respiratory system to facilitate health literacy. It was a developmental research method using the ADDIE model, which includes five stages: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. The developed comic was validated by three experts using an expert judgment rubric. Data were collected from 34 students in 8th grade and four science teachers through questionnaires. Expert validation data were analyzed using Aiken's V formula, while questionnaires were analyzed by calculating the percentage of agreement. Expert judgment validation received a score of 0.88, indicating high validity. The questionnaire results showed a high percentage of agreement: 96.57% from students and 95.83% from teachers. These findings suggest that comics are highly effective as learning media for the respiratory system topic and effectively support students' health literacy efforts.

Addressing emotional aggression in Thai adolescents: evaluating the P-positive program using EQ metric.

This study investigates the effectiveness of the P-Positive program in addressing emotional aggression among junior high school students in Lopburi Province, Thailand. A quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design was employed with 54 participants aged 13-15. The intervention, conducted over 16weeks, applied the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) framework. Key components included emotional regulation, empathy development, and behavioral change, facilitated through structured activities. Emotional intelligence was assessed using the EQ Metric, evaluating nine dimensions comprehensively. Statistically significant improvements were observed across all dimensions of emotional intelligence (p<0.001). The most notable improvements were in self-control, empathy, and decision-making, with motivation showing the highest mean difference (4.333). Inner peace exhibited the smallest mean improvement (1.593), but the change was still statistically significant. These findings highlight the program's effectiveness in enhancing emotional intelligence and reducing aggression. The P-Positive program shows strong potential as a scalable intervention for improving emotional well-being and mitigating aggression in adolescents. It offers valuable insights for educators, policymakers, and public health stakeholders, suggesting the importance of integrating such programs into broader educational and health initiatives. Further refinements to address specific dimensions like inner peace may enhance its impact.

The Top Ten Issues for Parents in Educating Their Gifted Child in School Settings

This column is devoted to the top ten issues that parents face in educating their gifted children in school settings. VanTassel-Baska describes how parents in partnering with others can collaborate with their child’s teacher, the school, and administrators. The author encourages parents to advocate for advanced curriculum, a variety of high school options, advanced instruction and courses, and counseling services. Parents must educate themselves about assessment and the use of off-level tests and products and portfolios to determine student progress. Parents must also advocate for professional learning for teachers of gifted students. In closing, the author encourages parents to supplement learning obtained in school with community resources.

Predictive factors of sexual dysfunction and quality of life among type 2 diabetes outpatients in southern Iran: a cross-sectional survey

ObjectivesThis study was conducted to determine the predictors of sexual dysfunction and quality of life (QOL) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Sexual dysfunction is a long-term consequence of...

Business management teachers’ teaching expectancy beliefs about curriculum implementation: application of expectancy-value theory

Teachers’ expectancy beliefs are strong predictors of successful curriculum implementation. Drawing from the expectancy-value theory (EVT) of achievement motivation, this study assessed teaching expectancy beliefs in curriculum implementation among Business Management teachers (BMTs). A quantitative research design involved 125 BMTs from 89 senior high schools (SHS) in the Western Region of Ghana. The data gathered was processed via SPSS version 27.0 and analysed using frequency, percentage, independent samples t-test, One-way ANOVA and multivariate linear regression. This study revealed that BMTs have high teaching expectancy beliefs about curriculum implementation. The BMTs demonstrated high teaching expectancy beliefs in instructional strategies (EIS), classroom management (ECM), and student engagement (ESE) regarding curriculum implementation. Teachers’ gender was significantly related to teaching expectancy beliefs in curriculum implementation. Male BMTs had higher teaching expectancy beliefs in curriculum implementation than female BMTs. There was no statistically significant difference in BMTs’ teaching expectancy beliefs regarding curriculum implementation based on age, qualification, and teaching experience. The theoretical and practical implications of the research findings are also discussed.

Factors predicting disordered eating and the prevalence of eating disorders in adolescent elite athletes, trained athletes and a reference group: a prospective controlled two-step study

ObjectiveTo prospectively examine the prevalence of diagnosed eating disorders (ED-diagnosis), ED-symptoms and factors predicting ED-symptoms in three male and female high school student groups: elite athletes, trained athletes and a...

Effects of core self-evaluation on tobacco and alcohol use among left-behind children: mediating role of fear of missing out and moderating role of parental migration category and gender

BackgroundTobacco and alcohol use are quite prevalent among left-behind children, and core self-evaluation is an important contributing factor. Current research has rarely focused on the underlying mechanisms between these variables. This study aims to explore the relationships between core self-evaluation and tobacco and alcohol use among left-behind children, and the mediating effect of fear of missing out as well as the moderating effect of parental migration category and gender.MethodsFor this study, data were collected from January 2024 to February 2025 at 25 rural primary and junior high schools in 5 cities in Jiangsu Province via a random cluster sampling method. A total of 1795 left-behind children were surveyed with the Core Self-Evaluation Scale, the Tobacco and Alcohol Use Questionnaire and the Multidimensional Fear of Missing Out Scale. SPSS 26.0 software was used for descriptive statistics and correlation analysis, and Mplus 8.4 software was used to analyse the mediation effect and moderated mediation effect.ResultsCore self-evaluation was significantly associated with tobacco and alcohol use; the fear of missing out partly mediated the relationships between core self-evaluation and tobacco and alcohol use; the parental migration category served as a moderating factor in the mediation model, specifically, in households with dual-parent migration, the associations between fear of missing out and tobacco and alcohol use were more significant; no significant gender differences were observed in the relationships between fear of missing out and tobacco and alcohol use.ConclusionsThis finding indicated that core self-evaluation contributed to tobacco and alcohol use among left-behind children through fear of missing out, and the parental migration category moderated the latter half of the mediating model.

Environmental Care Performance of Prospective Teacher in Kendari, Indonesia: Challenges and Solutions in Waste Management

This document discusses the importance of instilling environmental awareness in students across various educational levels, from elementary to high school. Based on a literature review, efforts to enhance environmental awareness among students have been conducted through various approaches, such as project-based learning utilizing the school environment, sustainable community science and technology education, and simple observations in elementary school settings. The research method used in this document is qualitative, with data collection through observation, interviews, and documentation. Data analysis employs concepts from Taherdoost (2020), including data entry, missing data, and data transformation. This study explores the abilities of teacher candidates in madrasah ibtidaiyah to observe and document waste management issues in their surroundings. The results indicate that the candidates can identify various problems, such as blocked drainage, waste accumulation at temporary disposal sites, and litter scattered along roads and rivers. Additionally, the candidates develop leadership skills in formulating waste management recommendations that include increasing community awareness, improving waste management facilities, reducing waste, and empowering the community. The study also suggests the need to strengthen stakeholder capacities in waste management and to integrate environmental education to foster environmental awareness among students.

Family Functionality and Dating Violence Among High School Students in Southern Peru

Family Functionality and Dating Violence Among High School Students in Southern Peru

Fostering environmental responsibility with JellyBean: a Google Cardboard VR-based case study on cultivating awareness in middle and high school students about marine ecology and the impact of everyday pollutants

Fostering environmental responsibility with JellyBean: a Google Cardboard VR-based case study on cultivating awareness in middle and high school students about marine ecology and the impact of everyday pollutants