8th Grade Students Research Articles

Leveling Up: An Academic Acceleration Policy to Increase Equity in Advanced High School Course Taking

Taking advanced courses in high school predicts many positive outcomes, yet low-income students and students who identify as Black and Hispanic are underrepresented. Policies such as “algebra for all” that accelerate middle school students into advanced courses are well-studied, but little is known about newer academic acceleration policies that target older students. Between 2014–2015 and 2016–2017, 72 districts in Washington implemented Academic Acceleration policies, which identified proficient 11th- and 12th-grade students for automatic acceleration into AP, IB, and other dual credit courses. We used difference-in-differences models to examine changes in advanced course enrollments, GPAs, and high school graduation between districts that began implementing the policy at different times. We found advanced course enrollment increased and became more equitable postpolicy.

Analysis of Students' Difficulties in Developing English Listening Skills: A Case Study of SMA 3 Yogyakarta

This study aims to analyze the difficulties faced by 11th grade students of SMA Negeri 3 Yogyakarta in developing English listening skills. Listening skills are an important aspect of English language learning, especially in the context of globalization. However, students often face various challenges, such as limited vocabulary, grammatical understanding, poor audio quality, and environmental distractions, which hinder their abilities. This research used a case study approach with qualitative methods, involving 30 students selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, then analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The results showed that 70% of students had difficulties in vocabulary, 60% in grammar, 50% were affected by audio quality, and 65% faced anxiety while listening. Most students preferred interactive digital media, such as video and audio, which helped reduce anxiety and improve their comprehension. Technology integration in learning was identified as a potential solution to overcome such difficulties and increase students' learning motivation.

Investigation of Classification Validity in Terms of Various Variables in TIMSS 2019 International Benchmarks of Students

In this study, it was aimed to determine the variables affecting students' proficiency classification by using the data of 4th-grade students participating in the TIMSS 2019 application in the fields of mathematics and science. For this purpose, it was tried to provide evidence for classification validity with the variables of school belonging, bullying, home resources for learning, self-efficacy for computer use, disorderly behavior in Math lessons, like learning Math/Science, confident in Math/Science and instructional clarity in Math/Science lessons. The study was conducted with a correlational design. The sample of the study consisted of 3887 students in both lessons, which remained as a result of the missing data deletion and assignment processes from 4028 students who originally participated in the application. Logistic regression and discriminant analysis were used to analyze the data. As a result of the study, it was determined that 41.6% for Mathematics and 43% for Science in logistic regression analysis and 42.5% for Mathematics and 45% for Science in discriminant analysis were correctly classified through independent variables.

Ethno-STEAM Based E-Comic “Lilis Lamiang”, is it Necessary to Use it on Science Learning in Elementary Schools?

This research aims to analyze the response to the needs of ethno-STEAM based e-comic “lilis lamiang” for elementary school students. In this study we focus to analyze the teacher and student perception about the development of the local wisdom module, especially to increase learning outcome. The research method is descriptive and qualitative by used surveys to collect data. Data collection was carried out by distributing questionnaires to 2 elementary school teacher and to 20 student 5th grade students, SDN 4 Menteng in Palangkaraya City, Central Kalimantan. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. The results of this research showed that teachers have never developed their own teaching materials based on local potential in Central Kalimantan, while students are of the opinion that the use of teaching materials based on local potential will make learning activities more interesting. This research concluded that the development of etno-STEAM based e-comic especially about lilis lamiang very important thing to do based on teacher and student perception and important to continue in the next research to develop the module.

Authentic Assessment Instrument on Redox Reactions to Assess Students’ Cognitive Skills

Authentic assessment is an assessment approach that enable students to demonstrate in-depth understanding and solve complex problem using systematic thinking skills, but teachers find it difficult to develop due to limited knowledge and time. The aim of this research is to produce an authentic assessment instrument for redox reaction materials; determine the characteristics, quality, and feasibility. The instrument development model used was a combination of Oriondo & Dallo-Antonio with Cohen Swerdlik. The development stages were assessment planning, instrument construction, and product testing. The research subjects were 155 of 10th-grade students from three public high schools in Bukittinggi, selected using random sampling technique. Data collection techniques were tests and non-test, the instruments were open ended questions and validation sheets. The authentic assessment instrument developed criteria are: (1) can assess students’ higher order thinking skills; (2) integrate knowledge with skills and various scientific disciplines; (3) develop 21st century competencies; and (4) involve real or everyday life contexts for cognitive aspect. The trial results were analyzed using the PCM 1-PL approach at IRT using Winstep and Parscale program. The characteristics of the item were stated fit because it met the acceptance requirements for MNSQ, ZSTD, and PT-Measure Correlation and the difficulty is in a relatively good level. The reliability of the instrument was classified as good, with test reliability of 0.72 and item reliability of 0.96.

The development of an environmental educational game based on the ASSURE instructional design model: a case study in Turkey

ABSTRACT This study aims to develop an educational game on the environment based on the ASSURE instructional design model. Educational games are an excellent method for learning, letting students have fun and ensuring that students are physically, emotionally, and psychologically at the highest level. The phenomenology design, a qualitative research method, was used in the study. The participants of this study were 16 6th-grade students in Turkey. The selected games were prepared taking into account the Turkish game tradition. Purposive sampling was chosen to determine the participants. The observation form and interview form were used as data collection tools. The data were analysed by content analysis. The study findings were given in codes and categories, including direct quotations. As a result of the study, it was discovered that the students found educational games entertaining, that educational games could be adapted to Science courses the best, and that playing educational games was useful regarding ease of learning and learning by having fun. In line with these results, suggestions were made, such as giving more space to educational games in the lessons.

Trajectories of depressive symptoms in early to mid-adolescence: associations with school pedagogical and social climate.

Adolescence is a critical period for mental health development, yet research exploring how contextual factors influence the development of depressive symptoms remains limited. This study explored trajectories of depressive symptoms during early to mid-adolescence and their association with various aspects of school climate. The study sample comprised 3671, 7th-grade students (aged 12-13 years) from 101 schools across Sweden, followed longitudinally across three time points spanning grades 7, 8 and 9. Depressive symptom trajectories were identified using latent class growth modelling. The Pedagogical and Social Climate questionnaire assessed school climate, and multinomial logistic regression was employed to predict trajectory membership based on sociodemographic and school climate factors. Four distinct developmental patterns of depressive symptoms emerged: 'Sustained low symptoms' (76.7%), 'Low-increasing' (10.9%), 'Sustained high symptoms' (7.9%), and 'High-decreasing' (4.5%). Gender, parental education and six specific school climate factors, out of the total 19 examined, significantly distinguished these trajectory classes. Positive teacher expectations and strong principal involvement were associated with more favourable trajectories, whereas teaching activities, teacher support and communication between school and home were associated with less favourable trajectories, suggesting a nuanced understanding of their relationship with depressive symptom trajectories. Few school factors were found to be relevant to depressive symptoms, highlighting the importance of considering external factors beyond the school environment in supporting adolescents during this developmental stage. Although the findings are multifaceted, it is primarily positive interpersonal relationships, especially through teacher expectations, that stand out as significant factors in promoting youth mental health.

Influence of physical activity and screen time on sleep quality in primary school students

In a society where, sedentary lifestyles and the use of technological screens are on the rise, students' lifestyle is being significantly affected. In fact, nowadays many students experience various sleep problems, and two of its main factors may be physical activity and the use of technological screens. In this sense, this research aimed to analyze the influence of students' physical activity and the screen time on sleep quality of students. The participants were 28 students in 5th and 6th grade of primary school. They wore ActiGraph WGT3X-BT accelerometers for one week to collect data related to physical activity and sleep patterns. Additionally, a survey was conducted to assess their use of technological screens. The collected data were analyzed, with a focus on differences by sex. Correlations between these parameters were also analyzed. The analysis revealed no significant correlation between physical activity and sleep quality. However, a significant correlation was observed between screen time and sleep quality. This finding highlights the importance of continued research in these areas to enhance the wellbeing and sleep quality of students.

The Effects of Writing to Learn Activities on the 10th Grade on Teaching of Ecosystem Ecology

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of Writing to Learning (WTL) activities on learning in teaching the subject of Ecosystem Ecology, which is taught in the biology courses in the 10th grade of high school and to examine the course process carried out with WTL activities in terms of student views. Design/Methodology/Approach: In the research, explanatory mixed research design, one of the mixed method research designs, was used. The study group of the research consists of 87 students studying in the 10th grade of a high school in the center of Bayburt in the spring term of the 2021-2022 academic year. As a data collection tool in the research; Preliminary Knowledge Test (PKT), Ecosystem Ecology Achievement Test (EEAT) and Interview Form (IF) were used. Shapiro-Wilk Test, one of the normality tests, was used in the analysis of quantitative data. Since the data obtained from both tests used in the study did not meet the normal distribution conditions, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis H tests were applied as non-parametric tests. On the other hand, content analysis method was used to analyze qualitative data. Findings: As a result of the analysis of the data obtained from the EEAT, it was determined that the letter and the diary from the activities of WTL increased the success of the 10th grade students in Ecosystem Ecology. Considering the letter and diary from these activities, it was determined that the letter writing activity contributed more to academic success than the diary writing activity. According to the analysis of the data obtained from the IF, it was determined that the students' views on the WTL activities were positive. Highlights: As a result of the results obtained from the findings, it is thought that it is important to support the use of WTL activities in secondary level biology courses to increase student outcomes.

Investigating the impact of three levels of representation-based visual media on students’ mental models

Abstract This study examines the effect of visual media on students’ mental models regarding battery functions and electrical resistance concepts. The study presents a novel visual media approach consisting of phenomena videos, dynamic analogies, and microscopic models. The development of the visual media followed the ADDIE model. The research subjects were 25 12th-grade students from a private senior high school in Bandung, West Java. Students’ mental models were assessed using open-ended test that examined four concepts: (1) electromotive force (EMF) in batteries; (2) electrical resistance; (3) resistors in series; and (4) resistors in parallel. The test were administered as both pre-tests and post-tests.The pre-test results revealed that the majority of students had initial mental models regarding battery functions and electrical resistance concepts. By the end of the study, most students had developed synthetic mental models. However, the majority successfully achieved scientific mental models concerning electrical resistance concepts. In other concepts, only a few students achieved scientific mental models. Overall, the visual media had a significant positive effect on students’ mental models, with corrections observed in 92% of students for EMF in batteries, 96% for electrical resistance, 80% for resistors in series, and 84% for resistors in parallel.These findings encourage physics teachers and researchers to develop innovative visual media focused on correcting students’ mental models in scientific concept learning.

Developing the Competence of Using Tools and Materials in Learning Mathematics for 4th-Grade Students in Geometry and Measurement Content

In Vietnam's general education program, Mathematics is a significant tool for many other subjects. Mathematics originates from practicality and serves as the "key" in most human activities, as well as in learning other subjects. In teaching Mathematics, teachers not only guide students to acquire knowledge but also form and develop students' abilities and intellectual qualities, training their critical thinking and creativity. The ability to use tools and learning materials for Mathematics is one of the five components of mathematical competence in the 2018 Mathematics curriculum for general education. This article focuses on proposing some basic measures to develop and nurture the ability of using tools and materials in learning Mathematics for fourth-grade students through teaching Geometry and Measurement content.

Beyond smoking: The role of stigma in asthma rates among youth.

This study aimed to examine asthma disparities at the intersection of four sociodemographic characteristics, inhaled substance use, and bias-based bullying as metrics of stigma. We hypothesized that high prevalence groups for asthma would be those with marginalized social positions and those reporting bullying experiences, independent of inhaled substance use. The analytic sample (N = 90,367) included eighth, ninth, and 11th grade students who participated in the 2022 Minnesota Student Survey. Exhaustive Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detection tested all combinations of sociodemographic characteristics (gender identity, sexual orientation, racial/ethnic identity, and access to resources), inhaled substance use (none vs. any), and bias-based bullying about sexuality, gender identity/expression, racial identity, and weight/size to predict mutually exclusive groups of youth based on self-reported asthma diagnosis. Approximately 15% of the sample reported asthma. Sexually, gender, and racially/ethnically diverse youth reported higher rates of asthma relative to their heterosexual, cisgender, and White counterparts. High prevalence groups for asthma (rates between 24% and 41%) were characterized by having multiple marginalized identities, experiencing bias-based bullying, and engaging in inhaled substance use. Three of the 10 intersectional groups with a high prevalence of asthma were not inhaled substance users. These findings suggest that stigma may help explain the asthma disparities among marginalized youth. Efforts to reduce asthma disparities in marginalized youth should move beyond pathologizing the individual through overfocusing on health behaviors and attend to root causes, like experiences of stigma. Future studies should examine systemic inflammation as the potential connection between stigma and asthma. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

An Action Research on Basic Competence in Science and Technology in Social Studies Course

Social Studies course is one of the basic courses that prepare students for social life. Change and development have become important in science and technology in the present time. Social Studies course has found its place in the development and change in science and technology. Developments in science and technology are given in Social Studies course, considering the basic competences in science and technology. The aim of this research is to reveal the process of activities related to the basic competence area of social studies course regarding science and technology and to determine the views of students and teachers regarding this process. The research was designed in action research pattern which is one of the qualitative research methods. The research was conducted in the first and second semesters of 2022-2023 academic year. The participants of the research are 6th grade students and their social studies teacher. The data of the research, observation form, teacher and student diaries, student products, semi-structured interview forms were gathered via video recordings of the researcher in the process. Data analysis of the research was conducted using descriptive analysis method. In the research it was concluded that the activities conducted regarding basic competence in science and technology in social studies course entertained the students during the course, the course was better comprehended and the subjects were learned easily. In addition, it was concluded that the activities related to the basic competence in science and technology in Social Studies course improved students' ability to conduct research using scientific research process, and realized the importance of the scientific ethics concept, respect for labor and citing references. Considering the results of the research, recommendations for practitioners and researchers were made.

MỘT SỐ BIỆN PHÁP HÌNH THÀNH NĂNG LỰC LỊCH SỬ VÀ ĐỊA LÍ CHO HỌC SINH LỚP 4

With the research methods of analysis, synthesis, and generalization of the problem, the article has proposed measures to develop History and Geography capacity for 4th-grade students. Proposals are: Using a variety of teaching methods, using methods appropriate to thinking levels, effectively using geography teaching aids, and using appropriate methods according to the content flow... Those measures will help 4th-grade students develop the most basic History and Geography skills and are the foundation for good development of History and Geography skills in the upper grades.

Maternal weight status at conception predicts offspring body fat at age 11 years: population data from the Japan Kids Body Composition Study using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

BackgroundMaternal preconception overweight status has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of overweight offspring. However, there are no published population-based studies on the association between maternal preconception weight and offspring body fat measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The present population-based retrospective cohort study aimed to examine the association between maternal weight at conception and offspring body fat measured by DXA.MethodsThe source population consisted of 5th-grade students (1244 students aged 11 years) registered at 8 municipal elementary schools in Kitakata, Fukuroi, Hamamatsu, and Himeji in Japan. The present analyses included 964 participants who provided complete information. Maternal body mass index (BMI) at conception was calculated using records in the Mother and Child Health Handbook (MCHH). Offspring body fat at age 11 years was measured with the same QDR-4500A DXA instrument in a mobile test room that was brought to each school. With regard to the prediction of excess fat in offspring, the area under the curve (AUC) calculated with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of maternal BMI at conception.ResultsAdjusted odds ratios for excess body fat in offspring of the overweight mother group (odds ratios, 4.93 to 15.32) were significantly higher than those in the non-overweight mother group. For the prediction of excess offspring fat, AUCs and 95% confidence intervals for maternal BMI at conception were greater than 0.5.ConclusionMaternal overweight status at conception might be a risk factor for excess body fat in offspring. Maternal BMI values calculated using MCHH data have the potential to distinguish between the presence and absence of excess fat in the next generation.

The level of sportsmanship of pupils of the sports profile lyceum

The article examines the level of sportsmanship of 10th-grade pupils of sport’s professional college lyceum. The aim of the study is to determine the level of sportsmanship of 10th grade students of the lyceum and to investigate its dynamics over three years. The research was conducted during 2020-2022 on the basis of the general education lyceum of the Kharkiv Professional College of Sports. The number of participants was 210 people, the average age of the representatives was 15.46 years. To analyze the level of sports skills of lyceum entrants, we analyzed the percentage ratio of their sports qualifications. The results of the study showed that the percentage of the level of sportsmanship of the entrants to the general education lyceum of the Kharkiv Professional College of Sports in 2020-2022 years has a negative dynamic of the studied indicators: a decrease in the percentage of pupils with the title Candidates for Master of Sports of Ukraine from 10.7% in 2020 to 4 .7% in 2022; decrease in the percentage of pupils with the 1st sports category from 12.3% in 2020 to 9.4% in 2022; decrease in the percentage of pupils with II sports category from 43% in 2020 to 31.2% in 2022. There is a regular positive trend in the increase in the percentage of athletes with the III sports category from 24.6% in 2020 to 45.3% in 2022. The percentage of pupils with the 1st youth sports category who entered the lyceum of a specialized sports education institution in 2020, 2021 and 2022 did not actually change. Conclusion. The analysis of the study results of the level of sports skills of 10th-grade pupils of the specialized sports profile educational lyceum the during 2020-2022 showed a gradual deterioration of the level of their sports qualifications.

Activation of Students' Cognitive Activity through Physical and Health-Improving Activities

The methodology for developing cognitive activity through physical and health-improving activities is thoroughly examined for primary school students. Regarding the methodology for developing cognitive activity through physical and health-improving activities for middle school students, there are practically few developments, and recommendations are often given in a general form. Thus, the issue of the impact of physical and health- improving activities on the cognitive activity of middle school students is still largely unexplored and has not yet received scientific substantiation. The article determines the influence of the level of physical working capacity on the cognitive activity of 6th-grade students. A method for activating cognitive activity through small forms of physical culture is presented. The study involved the analysis of literary sources and internet resources; analysis of students' academic performance; research on physical working capacity; speed of thinking; determination of the average academic score; mathematical statistics methods using the SPSS program: the Kolmogorov-Smirnov one-sample test; Pearson correlation.

Psychometric and edumetric properties of the Turkish version of the assessment of physiotherapy practice

BackgroundClinical education is a crucial process in which students learn how to use theoretical knowledge in clinical settings. However, there is no standardized assessment tool routinely used to evaluate the clinical performance of physiotherapy students in Turkey. This study aimed to examine the psychometric (validity and reliability) and edumetric (acceptability, feasibility, and educational impact) properties of the Turkish version of the Assessment of Physiotherapy Practices (APP-T).MethodsThis methodological study included 7 clinical educators and 174 4th-grade physiotherapy students at three universities in Turkey. Students were assessed with the APP-T on completion of 4-week clinical placements. The construct validity was examined using the exploratory factor analysis. The internal consistency was determined using Cronbach’s α-coefficient. The test-retest and inter-rater reliability were evaluated with the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). For the measurement error of the APP-T, standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimum detectable change (MDC) values were calculated. After the administration of the APP-T was completed, clinical educators were requested to provide feedback on the acceptability, applicability, and educational impact of the APP-T.ResultsExploratory factor analysis demonstrated the 20 items of the APP-T represent a single dominant dimension explaining 76.28% of the variance. Excellent test-retest and inter-rater reliability was detected by ICC = 0.94 and ICC = 0.77, respectively, and good internal consistency was detected by Cronbach’s α = 0.935. The MDC90 values for test-retest and inter-rater reliability were 3.11 and 6.86, respectively. Clinical educators provided generally positive feedback on the acceptability, feasibility, and educational impact of the APP-T.ConclusionsThe current findings provided evidence for universities and clinical educators that the APP-T has sufficient psychometric and educational properties for evaluating the clinical performance of physiotherapy students in Turkey.

Using a metacognitive awareness approach to improve perception of the fundamental biological principle – homeostasis

ABSTRACT This study investigates the process of students’ metacognitive learning about homeostasis, a fundamental biological principle. The research aimed to determine how the metacognitive awareness learning approach (MCLA) affects student perceptions of homeostasis. The research participants were 146 Israeli 10th-grade students (ages 15–16) who were divided into two groups: The MCLA group (MCLAG) (n = 92) received guidance according to the MCLA. The control group (CG) (n = 54) did not receive such guidance. Results disclose the contribution of the MCLA to a better understanding of homeostasis, a fundamental biological principle. Quantitative findings indicate higher achievements by students in the intervention group. Qualitative findings showed differential conceptual understandings regarding homeostasis characteristics, as follows: the MCLA distinctively promoted the following characteristics of homeostasis: efficiency, dynamics of a homeostatic process, and environments. Other characteristics, such as coordination and lack of randomness, control regulation, feedback mechanisms, and multi-systems, were partially promoted by the MCLA. Regarding the energy characteristics, however, the students faced significant challenges in understanding the energy element in the context of homeostasis, indicating a potential for future research. We can deduce that the MCLA can potentially promote the students’ understanding of homeostasis. These results may guide teachers to convey fundamental principles in biology more effectively.

Субъективное отношение к школе родителей младших школьников

The article analyzes the attitude of parents of younger students to school, taking into account the main structural elements of the school (teachers, students, educational process, premises and equipment). 38 parents of 4th grade students of a secondary school in Nizhny Novgorod took part in the experiment. Of these, 20 are mothers and 18 are fathers. The age of the respondents is in the range of 29-45 years. The following methods were used in the study: theoretical analysis of scientific sources on the research topic, a questionnaire for V.Ya. Yasvin's parents, methods of quantitative and qualitative processing and presentation of results, generalization, the Mann-Whitney method. This study is a pilot study. Qualitative characteristics of parents' attitude to school were revealed. The attitude of parents towards school is more emotional in nature. Parents demonstrate a high emotional charge towards teachers and the educational process. Also, the attitude of parents towards school is heterogeneous and contradictory. Different structural components of the school have different significance for parents. The same component can be evaluated in different ways. Parents express their high willingness to help teachers. At the same time, information about the teacher is not important to them, help to the teacher is often expressed formally. It is important for parents to be informed about the education and upbringing of children. Parents show a good willingness to participate in the creation of comfortable, well-equipped school premises. The maximum interest is associated with the students. It is important for them to have complete and quick information on the success and difficulties of children in learning.