School Transition Research Articles

How to help students in their transition to middle school? Effectiveness of a school-based group mentoring program promoting students’ engagement, self-regulation, and goal setting

School transitions are labeled as challenging events in students’ academic paths likely to affect students’ development and engagement in school negatively. Grounded on extant research advocating the need to act preventively, school-based mentoring programs emerge as responses suited to provide students with developmental and instructional support during school transitions. Using a multivariate mixed-effects model for repeated measures quasi-experimental design, the present study assessed the effectiveness of a 12-session group mentoring program designed to promote fifth-grade students’ self-regulation, school engagement, and goal setting during their first school transition. Participants were 330 fifth graders in four schools randomly assigned to treatment or control conditions. Students’ self-reported measures were collected in four moments. Data were analyzed using a multivariate mixed-effects model for repeated measures analyses with two covariates (age and gender) and considering the students’ level of prior mathematics knowledge. Results indicated that participating in the group mentoring program led to improvements in all dependent variables. The effect size found was large considering all dependent variables simultaneously. However, when considered individually, the effect sizes were medium, small, or null, depending on the dependent variable. Lastly, and contrary to expectations, the effectiveness of our program was not influenced by students’ level of prior mathematics knowledge. The relevance of group mentoring programs in addressing students’ engagement and self-regulation needs is discussed. Future research and educational implications for designing mentoring programs are provided.

Subjektivierungsprozesse neu zugewanderter Jugendlicher im Kontext schulischer Übergänge – Potenziale eines methodenpluralen Zugangs

ZusammenfassungIm Sinne einer subjektivierungstheoretisch ausgerichteten Übergangsforschung werden in diesem Beitrag organisationale Praktiken schulischer Übergänge und die mit diesen verbundenen Formen der Adressierung neu zugewanderter Jugendlicher zu deren subjektiv erlebten Handlungsmöglichkeiten oder auch -beschränkungen in Beziehung gesetzt. Ziel ist es hierbei, das subjektivierende Potenzial einer organisationalen Gestaltung schulischer Übergänge zu erfassen. Untersuchungsgegenstand sind die bildungsbiographisch höchst relevanten schulischen Übergänge neu zugewanderter Jugendlicher. Unter Bezug auf eine laufende ethnographische Studie werden anhand eines Fallbeispiels Subjektivierungsprozesse nachgezeichnet, die sich im Spannungsfeld zwischen einer sozialisationsbedingt erworbenen bildungsaffinen meritokratischen Haltung und machtvollen organisationalen Zuweisungspraktiken vollziehen. Auf dieser Grundlage wird abschließend auch auf das spezifische Potenzial des gewählten methoden- und perspektivenpluralen Zuganges für eine Analyse des Zusammenspiels einer strukturellen und organisationalen Ebene und der Subjektebene bei Subjektivierungsprozessen eingegangen.

특수교육대상유아의 초등학교 전이 지원 관련 국내 정책 분석

특수교육대상유아의 초등학교 전이 지원 관련 국내 정책 분석

Need satisfaction profiles during the transition to secondary school and its implications in later education

This longitudinal study examined student profiles of psychological needs satisfaction before and after their transition to secondary school and their role in predicting academic motivation, adjustment, achievement, and intentions to continue in secondary school. In a sample of 639 adolescents, profiles of psychological needs satisfaction (relatedness, competence, autonomy) were identified in Grade 6 and in Secondary 1. Results of latent profile and latent transition analyses revealed four distinct profiles, which were identical in characteristics and prevalence across the school transition: Globally High, Reduced Competence, Reduced Autonomy, and Low Satisfaction. The Low Satisfaction profile consistently predicted poorer outcomes while the most positive ones were linked to the Globally High profile, and sometimes to the Reduced Autonomy profile. Results suggest that decreases in psychological needs satisfaction across the transition to secondary school are less prevalent than previous research suggested, and that students show resilience to reduced satisfaction in some needs. Educational relevance statementThis study identified distinct subgroups of Grade 6 students defined by their competence, autonomy, and relatedness needs satisfaction within school. Most students stayed in the same subgroup after they transitioned to secondary school. Reduced competence or autonomy satisfaction did not predict lower academic success. As such, interventions may be more effective if enacted starting early on and targeting social connections concurrently with either of the other two needs.

Turkish Teacher’s Opinions of the High School Transition System

Bu araştırmada, Liselere Geçiş Sisteminin (LGS) Türkçe dersi öğretim programı ve dil becerileri ile ilişkisini, Türkçe derslerinin işlenmesine yönelik etkilerini ortaya koymak amaçlanmıştır. Bunun yanında sınavın öğrenciler, öğretmenler ve veliler üzerindeki etkileri de incelenmiştir. Araştırma durum çalışması olarak tasarlanmıştır. Çalışma grubu amaçlı örnekleme tekniklerinden biri olan kolay ulaşılabilir durum örneklemesine göre belirlenmiştir. 20 Türkçe öğretmeni ile görüşmeler yapılmıştır. Elde edilen verilerin içerik analizi yapılmış ve raporlanmıştır. Araştırmada öğretmenlerin sınavdan dolayı derslerde okuma becerisi odaklandıkları ve diğer dil becerilerini ihmal ettikleri belirlenmiştir. Öğretmenler öğrencilerin sınavda soru olarak karşılarına çıkan dil bilgisi konularının öğretimini önemsemektedir. Araştırmada LGS sınavının ve soru yapısının öğretmenlerin ders işleme planlarını, kaynak kullanımını ve zaman kullanımlarını etkilediği belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca öğretmenlere göre bu sınav hem öğrencileri hem de velileri psikolojik, sosyal ve ekonomik bakımdan etkilemektedir.

Classroom conversations: What will it take? A commentary on Abbot-Smith et al., 2023

In their excellent review paper, Abbot-Smith and colleagues call for an emphasis on whole-classroom, tier-1 intervention approaches to supporting conversational skills in the preschool and primary grades. In our commentary, we discuss the benefits of and challenges to classroom conversation, particularly during the school transition period (ages 2 through 6), and we highlight several pathways that might help teachers foster more conversation with young children.

Comparing Kenya and Hungary preschool to school transitions within the theoretical perspectives of transition

Comparing Kenya and Hungary preschool to school transitions within the theoretical perspectives of transition

Conceptualising the Primary to Secondary School Transition within the Theoretical Framework of Ecosocial Theory

Conceptualising the Primary to Secondary School Transition within the Theoretical Framework of Ecosocial Theory

A pragmatic clinical effectiveness trial of a novel alternative to punishment for school-based substance use infractions: study protocol for the iDECIDE curriculum.

Adolescents who use alcohol and other drugs on school campuses are at heightened risk for adverse consequences to their health and wellbeing. Schools have historically turned to punitive approaches as a first-line response to substance use. However, punishment is an ineffective deterrent for substance use and may cause harm and increase inequities. iDECIDE (Drug Education Curriculum: Intervention, Diversion, and Empowerment) was developed as a scalable and youth-centered drug education and diversion program that can be used as a skills-based alternative to punishment. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of the iDECIDE curriculum as an alternative to punishment (ATP) for school-based substance use infractions in the context of a large pragmatic clinical effectiveness study. We will conduct a Type 1, hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial. Using a stepped wedge design with approximately 90 middle and high schools in Massachusetts, we will randomly allocate the timing of implementation of the iDECIDE curriculum compared to standard disciplinary response over approximately 36 months. We will test the overarching hypothesis that student-level outcomes (knowledge of drug effects and attitudes about substance use; frequency of substance use; school connectedness) improve over time as schools transition from a standard disciplinary response to having access to iDECIDE. The secondary aims of this trial are to (1) explore whether change in student-level outcomes vary according to baseline substance use, number of peers who use alcohol or other drugs, age, gender, and school urbanicity, and (2) determine the acceptability and feasibility of the iDECIDE curriculum through qualitative stakeholder interviews. Substance use continues to be a major and rapidly evolving problem in schools. The importance of moving away from punishment to more restorative approaches is widely accepted; however, scalable alternatives have not yet been identified. This will be the first study to our knowledge to systematically evaluate an ATP for students who violate the school substance use policy and is well poised to have important implications for policy making.

Description of Children's Readiness to Enter Elementary School in Class 1 Students of SD Negeri Jabon District

This descriptive quantitative research aimed to investigate the readiness of grade 1 elementary school students to enter primary education in the Jabon sub-district. A sample of 102 students out of a total population of 110 was selected using non-probability accidental sampling. Data analysis, employing the SPSS 17.0 for Windows program, involved descriptive statistics to assess school readiness based on measures such as mode, mean, median, standard deviation, and variance range. The findings revealed that among grade 1 students at SD Jabon Sidoarjo District, 85.3% (87 students) exhibited high readiness, 8.8% (9 students) demonstrated sufficient readiness, and 5.9% (6 students) displayed less readiness to enter elementary school. These results shed light on the preparedness of children for formal education and have implications for educational stakeholders in fostering optimal learning environments and supporting students' smooth transition to elementary school. Highlights: The study examined the readiness of grade 1 students to enter elementary school, providing insights into their preparedness for formal education. A significant majority of grade 1 students (85.3%) demonstrated high readiness, emphasizing the positive foundation for their academic journey. The findings have implications for educational stakeholders, highlighting the importance of creating supportive learning environments and facilitating a smooth transition into elementary school. Keywords: Readiness, Elementary school, Grade 1 students, School transition, Educational implications.

Phthalates, adipates, BPA, and pesticides in school meals

BackgroundExposure to phthalates, adipates, bisphenol-A (BPA), and pesticides may have important health consequences for children, but little is known regarding their presence in school meals, a major food source for children. The aims of this study were to determine the presence of phthalates, adipates, BPA, and pesticides in school meals. MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, n = 50 school meal components were collected from four school districts in New England (n = 8 elementary/K-8 schools) differing preparation methods (on-site scratch cooking and pre-packaged heat and serve meals with plastic films) between 2019 and 2021. Meal components were tested for the presence of phthalates, adipates, BPA, and pesticides by an independent laboratory. ResultsOne adipate, DEHA, was detected in 42% of samples (range 0.08 mg/kg - 50.39 mg/kg). Among the prepackaged foods, DEHA was detected in 86% of samples, which also contained the highest average concentrations among all the samples tested. The phthalate Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) was detected in only one sample, and BPA was not detected in any of the samples tested. Pesticides were detected in 64% of produce and 27% of entrées, but most had levels that were lower than the average levels detected by the USDA's Pesticide Data Program and only one sample had levels that exceeded those detected by the USDA (Cyfluthrin levels in one sample of apples were 0.038 mg/kg compared with an USDA average range of 0.004–0.032 mg/kg). ConclusionsOverall pesticides and phthalate levels in school meals are low and BPA was not detected. However, this study suggests that manufacturers may be changing to less studied plasticizers such as DEHA. More studies should examine the impact of DEHA on human health, particularly among children. As schools transition back from the COVID-19 pandemic, foods packaged in plastic should be minimized where possible. Overall, school meals remain one of the healthiest options for children and policies that support on site cooking can further strengthen the quality of school meals.

Impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on secondary school teaching staff and primary to secondary transitions

AbstractIn common with many countries, UK schools closed for most pupils for periods between March 2020 and March 2021 because of the Covid‐19 pandemic, with significant implications for school education and the primary to secondary school transition. The transition to secondary school occurs at a crucial time of child development, with evidence suggesting transition may have a range of impacts on pupil wellbeing and academic performance. We wanted to understand how the pandemic had affected secondary teaching staff and their pupils during the move to secondary school. The study involved semistructured interviews with transition leaders from 12 secondary schools with subsequent thematic analysis. The findings of the study include; potential benefits from the digitalization of teaching practice; improving both pupil inclusion and staff efficiency, an enhanced interface with new parents resulting from virtual tours and open evenings, implications for the scope of existing teacher training with regard to virtual learning and concerns over pupil wellbeing, with increased levels of anxiety and a lack of emotional intelligence resulting from lockdowns. The study concludes that whilst the overall impact of the pandemic was probably detrimental to pupils' education and transitions practice, some potentially significant educational opportunities have arisen.

Treating sleep problems in young children: A randomised controlled trial of a group-based, parent-focused behavioural sleep intervention

This study tested the efficacy of a 5 × 1.5 h/session, group-based, parent-focused, behavioural intervention (BI) targeting sleep problems in preschool children. Parents were randomised to either the BI (N = 62) or care as usual (CAU; N = 66) conditions. Outcomes included sleep, anxiety, behavioural problems, internalising and externalising symptoms, transition to school and academic achievement. Assessments were conducted at pre- and post-BI intervention (in the year prior to formal schooling), and then at follow-ups 1 and 2 in the first year of formal schooling. Relative to the CAU, the BI condition demonstrated significantly greater improvements in sleep, anxiety, behaviour problems and internalising and externalising symptoms from pre-to post-intervention. Improvements in sleep, anxiety, and internalising symptoms were maintained, while behaviour and externalising symptoms were further improved upon at school follow-up 2. For the BI group, improvements in sleep at post-intervention were found to mediate improvements in anxiety, internalising, and externalising symptoms, but not behaviour problems, at school follow-ups 1 and 2. There were no significant effects of condition on school transition or academic outcome measures. The results suggest that the BI is effective for sleep, anxiety, behaviour, internalising and externalising symptoms, but not for school transition or academic outcomes. ANZCTR numberACTRN12618001161213.

Creating year 7 bubbles to support primary to secondary school transition: a positive pandemic outcome?

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we explore the benefits of new forms of in-school grouping for children moving from primary to secondary school during the COVID-19 pandemic in England. Our three-phase study with over 400 students and teachers found that protective measures to limit COVID-19 though year group ‘bubbles’ generated an environment more aligned to children’s previous primary school experience. This natural experiment smoothed the process of transition by providing a better correspondence with students’ developmental needs, especially for those on the cusp of adolescence. We recommend that physical, administrative and pedagogical school structures are reimagined for this age group to this end.

What do students need to support their transition to secondary school?

ABSTRACT Background The transition from primary to secondary education can be difficult for children. This paper reports on an intervention in the Netherlands known as the Talent Classrooms (TC), which aimed to support students’ primary-secondary school transition. The goal of TC was to increase the match between the personal environment of the student and the school environment to facilitate a successful transition, and to help students achieve their potential at secondary school. Purpose With the needs described in the review by Symonds and Galton (2014) taken as a starting point for this investigation, we sought to explore the extent to which TC supported six specific needs during students’ primary-secondary transition period, according to participants’ longer term reflections about their earlier TC experiences. Methods In this qualitative study, in-depth interviews were conducted with ten former TC students, four to five years after they had participated in the intervention. Data were analysed qualitatively. Findings The analysis suggested that, according to the participants, TC had fostered most needs and this helped to support their transition experience. In particular, participants reported that, via their involvement in TC, they had become more familiar with the physical environment and routine of secondary school, were able to form lasting friendships and enjoyed a challenging curriculum and extracurricular activities. However, findings also indicated that the intervention did not fully succeed in supporting some needs, mainly in the areas of autonomy, competency, and identity development, as it did not seem to have prepared all participants sufficiently for the requirement for independent working they subsequently encountered in secondary school. Conclusions This study highlights how emphasis on the development of autonomy-related skills might be beneficial for interventions designed to assist students with the transition to secondary education. Moreover, it draws attention to the importance of tailoring support to individual students’ specific, varied and evolving needs during this stage of development.

A Career Education and Development Framework and measure for senior secondary school students

Career development learning is increasingly emphasized as a curricular strategy to prepare students for their post-compulsory school transitions to further study or employment. Educators require career development frameworks and resources to support students’ reflective learning. The present research tested a hypothesized Career Education and Development Framework (CEDF) comprising eight factors: The understanding of self; opportunities; influences; goal setting; decision-making; taking action; reflecting/reviewing; and confidence. The hypothesized framework was tested by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using data from two independent studies with samples ( n = 567, n = 272) of senior secondary school students from different schools and jurisdictions. In addition to acceptable overall fit, invariance testing revealed consistency across gender on most factors.

The School Transition Estimation and Projection (STEP) model: A flexible framework for analysing and projecting school enrolments

AbstractAccurate school‐level enrolment predictions are critical for local government and planners to allocate education‐related resources and ensure necessary school infrastructure is provided. Although individual‐level school census data are increasingly available for education departments, there is little evidence that these data are being used to improve school enrolment projections. This paper fills this methodological void by developing a School Transition Estimation and Projection (STEP) modelling framework. The STEP model simultaneously projects all schools in a city or region by all academic levels (e.g., Preschool to Year 12) and across three school sectors (Public, Catholic and Independent) using cohort information on the sources of enrolment change (i.e., Preschool entries, within district transfers, in‐migration, out‐migration, Year 12 graduates) and their trends over time. In this paper, we present the model and its application to schools in the Australian Capital Territory. We also show how the model greatly increases the capacity to understand and predict enrolment change, while increasing efficiency and reducing bias.

Discordance Indices of Stress Sensitivity and Trajectories of Internalizing Symptoms in Adolescence.

Psychiatric illness in adolescence is associated with long-term impairments, making it critical to identify predictors of adolescent psychiatric distress. Individual differences in stress sensitivity could be associated with longitudinal trajectories of internalizing symptoms. Historically, researchers have operationalized stress sensitivity by assessing either objective or subjective responses to stress. However, we posit that the relative discordance between subjective and objective responses to stress is a critical metric of stress sensitivity. We examined whether two discordance-based indices of stress sensitivity were related to one another and to trajectories of internalizing psychopathology among a sample of 101 adolescent youths (Mage = 12.80 at baseline; 55% males) across two successive stressors: the high school transition and the COVID-19 pandemic. Using latent growth curve modeling, we found that greater discordance between subjective (i.e., affective) and objective (i.e., cortisol) responses to a social-evaluative stressor was associated with higher internalizing symptoms at baseline and an accelerated symptom growth trajectory across the first year of the pandemic. In contrast, early life stress sensitivity was not associated with internalizing symptoms. Findings suggest that the discordance between objective and subjective experiences of social-evaluative stress predicts a pernicious growth trajectory of internalizing symptoms during adolescence. This work advances current methodologies, contributes to theoretical models of internalizing psychopathology, and with replication could have implications for policy and practice by identifying a key vulnerability factor that increases adolescents' psychiatric distress over time.

Educational experiences and needs of students in out-of-home care: a Delphi study

Numerous studies show that children and young people in out-of-home care (OOHC) face significant disadvantage in completing high school and accessing post-secondary education. The current research involved a two-round Delphi survey which aimed to identify educational challenges and school reforms to improve the educational experiences of children and young people in OOHC. A total of 45 participants from three OOHC stakeholder groups (carers of children in OOHC, professionals/educators, and young people with lived experience of OOHC) completed the round one survey which consisted of open-ended questions analysed using thematic analysis. In the second survey round, 19 participants completed a Likert scale questionnaire which drew on themes from the round one thematic analysis. Using a consensus threshold of 70% for the round two survey, participants agreed that students in OOHC face a myriad of educational challenges, such as dealing with a history of trauma, frequent home and school transitions, mental health issues and stigma as a result of being in OOHC. It was agreed that teachers lack knowledge and experience, and schools lack support for students in OOHC. Stakeholders recommended provision of greater mental health support, coordination of services and more autonomy for OOHC students regarding their education.

Cognitive, social, and health functioning of children with TBI engaged in a formal support program.

Students with traumatic brain injury (TBI) often demonstrate difficulties that impact their successful return to school (RTS). To explore injury severity, age at injury, and time since injury as predictors for performance on measures of cognitive, social and health functioning for students' participating in a formal RTS cohort at the time of their enrollment in the School Transition After Traumatic Brain Injury (STATBI) research project. Outcome measures across cognitive, social, and health domains were analyzed for association with the explanatory variables of interest using quantile regressions and ordinary least squares regression, as appropriate. Students (N = 91) injured after age 13 showed significantly lower cognitive outcomes than students whose injury occurred earlier. Additionally, students more than one-year post-injury demonstrated poorer social outcome on one measure compared to students whose injury occurred more recently. Health outcomes showed no significant association to any predictors. The results of this analysis provide a baseline for a group of students with TBI as they enter a RTS research study. This data can now be paired with longitudinal measures and qualitative data collected simultaneously to gain a deeper understanding of how students with TBI present for RTS.