School Year Research Articles

Mental health after the COVID-19 pandemic among Finnish youth: a repeated, cross-sectional, population-based study

High levels of mental health problems among young people were reported during the COVID-19 pandemic, but studies of the post-pandemic period are scarce. We assessed mental health problems among Finnish youth before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic using nationwide population-based samples. Our aim was to examine in which direction the heightened levels of adolescent mental health problems have developed after the pandemic. In this national, repeated cross-sectional, population-based study in Finland, we recruited students at lower and upper secondary level (aged 13-20 years) who were taking part in the Finnish School Health Promotion (SHP) survey in 2015-23 (119 681-158 897 participants per round). The SHP is based on total sampling and conducted biennially between March and May. Self-reports covered the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale; the two-item Patient Health Questionnaire for depression; the Mini Social Phobia Inventory for social anxiety; the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale for mental wellbeing; loneliness; the Sick, Control, One Stone, Fat, Food measure for disordered eating; and suicidality (suicidal ideation, deliberate self-harm, and suicide attempts). Scales were dichotomised using validated cutoffs. Presence of any and comorbid mental health problems was assessed. Logistic (for dichotomised outcomes) and linear (for Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale) mixed effects models were used to analyse the effect of survey year on mental health, controlling for sociodemographic background factors and stratified by gender and school level. Cisgender and transgender youth were compared. Between 2015 and 2023, the SHP study recruited 722 488 students (371 634 [51·6%] girls and 348 857 [48·4%] boys) with a mean age of 15·8 years (SD 1·3) who were either in the eighth and ninth grades of comprehensive school or the first and second years of general and vocational upper secondary schools in Finland. The proportion of participants with generalised anxiety, depression, and social anxiety symptoms above the cutoff increased from pre-COVID-19 levels to 2021 and remained at these higher levels in 2023 among all study groups. Among girls in lower secondary education, prevalence of generalised anxiety, depression, and social anxiety symptoms increased from 2021 to 2023, as did social anxiety among girls in upper secondary education. Among boys, the proportion with social anxiety symptoms decreased between 2021 and 2023. Mental wellbeing scores decreased in all groups between 2021 and 2023, and disordered eating increased in girls, and in boys in lower secondary education. Suicidality increased in girls but not in boys. Loneliness was the only measure to show improvement in all groups from 2021 to 2023. In 2023, 55 895 (72·6%) of 76 994 girls and 22 718 (32·8%) of 69 205 boys reported at least one mental health problem, and 37 250 (48·4%) girls and 9442 (13·6%) boys reported comorbid mental health problems. Among both transfeminine and transmasculine youth, the prevalence of generalised anxiety and depression symptoms decreased from 2021 to 2023, but compared with cisgender youth, the proportions were significantly higher throughout. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth mental health could be long lasting. In this study, the substantial change for the better among transgender youth was a positive exception. Providing adequate support and treatment for young people with poor mental health is essential, but solutions to the mental health crisis need to address a wider societal perspective and should be developed in partnership with young people. NordForsk, Research Council of Finland. For the Finnish and Swedish translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Project I-PASSED: An intervention program for Students-At-Risk of Dropping Out (SARDO)

Learners in developing countries like the Philippines have denied their right to education by dropping out for various reasons. This descriptive study was conducted to find out the common reasons why advisory students in the past three (3) years dropped out of school, and why students of GAS 1108 and GAS 1109 were categorized as Students-At-Risk of Dropping Out (SARDO) during the First Semester of School Year 2023-2024; to propose an intervention program based on findings; and to determine its effectiveness based on student-recipients’ perceptions, and the number of learners categorized as SARDO who remained in school. Data were obtained from anecdotal records of dropped-out students for the past three school years, and from the three sets of researcher-made survey questionnaires which undergone thorough validation by experts in the field. These were administered to 17 identified SARDO who were officially enrolled at Muntinlupa National High School – Senior High School during the School Year 2023-2024. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were utilized in analyzing the data. Findings revealed that the three prevailing reasons why students dropped out of school for the past three school years, and why student-respondents were categorized as SARDO were financial problems (7, 41%), teenage pregnancy and/or parenting (6, 35%), and personal problems (2,35%); Project I-PASSED (“Incorporating Partnership and Active Synergy between School and Stakeholders for the Effective Delivery of Student Services) was proposed based on the findings; and Project I-PASSED’s initiatives were “Very Effective” in terms of addressing students’ financial problems (), personal problems (), and teenage pregnancy and/or parenting () which were all supported by the testimonies of the student-recipients. There were 14 out 17 (82.35%) identified SARDO who remained in school at present, indicating that the main objective of the project was “Mostly Achieved”. Therefore, the initiatives of the project were helpful and beneficial in addressing the complex needs of students. Supporting and sustaining this project was highly recommended. The implications of this study are to empower students by bringing them back to school, and to contribute tangible solutions that may reshape the educational practices across the country.

Interpersonal self-efficacy, morale, and personality traits of public elementary school teachers vis-à-vis teaching performance

In the landscape of education, the role of elementary school teachers stands as a cornerstone in shaping the intellectual and emotional development of young minds. Amidst the myriad of factors influencing teaching effectiveness, the interplay between interpersonal self-efficacy, morale, personality traits, and teaching performance emerges as a critical area of inquiry. This study employed descriptive correlational research to determine the level of interpersonal self-efficacy, morale, and personality traits of public elementary school teachers vis-à-vis teaching performance in the Division of Ozamis City, School Year 2022-2023. Respondents of the study were the public school teachers from District 5 and 6 of Ozamis City Division with a total of 117 teacher respondents. Frequency Count, Percentage, Mean, Weighted Average Mean, Kruskal-Wallis Test, Dunn’s Pairwise Tests, and Spearman rho were the statistical tests. Study revealed that the majority of respondents were female teachers with a range of one to five teaching experience. The teachers demonstrated high levels of interpersonal self-efficacy and morale, indicating their confidence in guiding and inspiring their pupils, as well as their satisfaction with their interactions and contributions to the school and community. While no significant differences were found in self-efficacy, morale, and personality traits based on age, sex, and highest educational attainment. It is worth noting that personality traits had a significant but very low correlation with performance. These findings highlight the importance of cultivating positive teacher attributes and promoting a supportive environment to enhance teacher performance and ultimately improve the quality of education in the region.

Association between time of assessment within a school year and physical fitness of primary school children

The dissociation of effects of age, time of assessment and cohort is a well-known challenge in developmental science. We examined effects of time of assessment in the school year on children’s physical fitness using data from 75,362 German third-graders from seven cohorts. Children were tested once either in the first or second school term of third grade. Tests examined cardiorespiratory endurance (6-min run), coordination (star-run), speed (20-m sprint), lower (standing long jump) and upper (ball-push test) limbs muscle power, and flexibility (stand-and-reach test). We estimated the effect of time of assessment using a regression discontinuity design specified in a linear mixed model with random factors child and school and adjusted for age, sex, and cohort effects. Coordination, speed, and upper limbs muscle power were better in second compared to first school term, with boys exhibiting a larger increase of upper limbs muscle power than girls. There was no evidence for changes in cardiorespiratory endurance, lower limbs muscle power, and flexibility between assessments. Previously reported age and sex effects as well as secular fitness trends were replicated. There is thus evidence for improvement of some physical fitness components beyond age and cohort effects that presumably reflects the benefit of physical activity in physical education and other settings. Effects of assessment time should be taken into consideration in performance-based grading or norm-based selection of children.

Role of food choice motives in the socio-economic disparities in diet diversity and obesity outcomes in Kenya.

The increased prevalence of overweight and obesity, along with high diet diversity, is observed among higher socio-economic groups in Sub-Saharan Africa. One contributing factor to these observed variations is food choice motives. However, the role of these motives in explaining the observed differences has not been thoroughly explored in this context. This study investigates whether there are significant differences in food choice motives among socio-economic groups and whether these variations can partly explain the socio-economic disparities in diet diversity and overweight and obesity outcomes. This study utilizes cross-sectional data from four counties in Kenya: Kiambu, Murang'a, Uasin Gishu, and Nakuru. The survey employed a three-stage cluster sample design to gather data using structured questionnaires on food choice motives, diet diversity, and anthropometrics from 381 adults in 2022. The mediating effects of 8 food choice motives (health, mood, convenience, sensory appeal, natural content, price, weight control, and familiarity) were analyzed using the Karlson-Holm-Breen method. The results show that individuals with higher household incomes place greater importance on health, mood, sensory, and weight concerns. The probability of an overweight and obesity outcome increases by 19% for a standard deviation change in the asset score, and by 8% for a standard deviation change in the years of schooling. Sensory motives significantly mediated these relationships. Sensory motives explained 29% of the income-BMI association and 30% of the education-BMI relationship. Higher education was also associated with increased diet diversity (β = 0.36, P < 0.001) mediated by higher health and sensory concerns. The findings suggest significant differences in food choice motives among socio-economic groups, which contribute to outcomes such as overweight and obesity. Therefore, educational and other policies aimed at reducing obesity should also address food choice motives, while considering the disparities among socio-economic segments within populations.

Old Problems, New Challenges

Although comparative studies on L1 education are facing many new challenges today, two ‘old’ issues should not be forgotten: the professional qualification of teachers as part of their academic training, and elementary language education in primary schools. These issues need a theoretical foundation to make L1 education part of the professional practical knowledge of teachers. In Germany, there is a gap between the subject-related qualification of prospective teachers on the one hand, and their didactic qualification for their professional field of action in schools on the other. What is perceived today as L1 German teaching from school year 1 to 12/13 goes back to two different traditions for which, until a few decades ago, educational institutions of varying prestige were responsible: the Volksschulen (elementary education for the lower classes) initially focusing on "mother-tongue" monolingualism, and the Latin schools (grammar schools for the higher classes) focusing on multilingual education, preparing for academic careers. It was not until the Weimar Constitution in 1919 that Germany also introduced academic qualifications for teachers in elementary education. However, also seminars, pedagogical academies, and colleges that focused on teaching didactics mainly, were established to circumvent university qualifications. What was developed in the last third of the 20th century in the context of a scientific foundation for the didactics of L1 German has since fallen into oblivion. This contribution aims at presenting a critically reflected continuation of these developments.

Systematic review and meta-analysis:relative age in attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

Youngest students in their class, with birthdates just before the school entry cut-off date, are overrepresented among children receiving an Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis or medication for this. This is known as the relative age effect. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarises the evidence on the influence of relative age on ADHD symptoms, diagnosis and medication prescribing. As no review to date has investigated the association with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis, this is also examined. Following prospective registration with PROSPERO, we conducted a systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines. We searched seven databases: Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Web of Science Core Collection, ERIC, Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, and Cochrane Library. Additional references were identified from manual search of retrieved reviews. We performed a meta-analysis of quantitative data. Thirty-two studies were included, thirty-one investigated ADHD and two ASD. Younger relative age was associated with ADHD diagnosis and medication, with relative risks of 1.38 (1.36-1.52 95% CI) and 1.28 (1.21-1.36 95% CI) respectively. However, risk estimates exhibited high heterogeneity. A relative age effect was observed for teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms but not for parent ratings. With regard to ASD, the youngest children in their school year were more likely to be diagnosed with ASD. This review confirms a relative age effect for ADHD diagnosis and prescribed ADHD medication and suggests that differences in teacher and parent ratings might contribute to this. Further research is needed on the possible association with ASD.

Does education promote risk-taking? Evidence from Vietnam

PurposeThis study examines the impact of schooling on risk perceptions and the moderation role of a non-cognitive skill, locus of control.Design/methodology/approachUsing information from the Thailand Vietnam Socio Economic Panel data set, the study employs Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) to address the potential endogeneity problem of the schooling variable.FindingsThe findings indicate that a higher level of willingness to take risks is correlated with additional schooling years. In other words, those with higher levels of education are more prone to take more risks. The result demonstrates that the association between education and risk attitudes is moderated by locus of control.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing literature on education in emerging countries by addressing the endogeneity problem of schooling variables using the GMM method. Moreover, this study examines the mediating role of personal non-cognitive skills, namely locus of control, in the relationship between education and risk attitudes.

Pengaruh Indeks Pembangunan Manusia Terhadap Indeks Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Inklusif Provinsi Gorontalo

This research aims to examine the influence of the human development index (average years of schooling, open unemployment rate, percentage of poor people) on the inclusive economic growth index of Gorontalo Province. The Central Statistics Agency obtained the quantitative methodology, covering six districts/cities in Gorontalo Province from 2012-2021. This research uses a panel data regression analysis method using the Fixed Effect Model approach to determine the influence of the dependent variable on the independent variable. The findings of this research show that the human development index variable, namely the average number of years of schooling, has a positive and significant value, the open unemployment rate has a positive and insignificant value, the percentage of poor people has a negative and important value on the inclusive economic growth index.

Analisis Determinan Pembangunan Manusia Berbasis Gender Dan Desentralisasi Fiskal Pada Inklusifitas Pertumbuhan Ekonomi Di Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Barat

This research aims to examine the influence of gender and fiscal decentralization on inclusive economic growth in West Nusa Tenggara Province. This research uses a panel data regression analysis method using the Fixed Effect Model approach to determine the influence of the dependent variable on the independent variable. As a result, the gender-based development index variable, namely the ratio of average years of schooling, has a positive and significant value; the ratio of life expectancy and the open unemployment rate ratio has a negative value and is not substantial; the variable of the degree of fiscal decentralization, namely the ratio of the degree of fiscal decentralization and the capital expenditure ratio, has a value positive and significant towards inclusive economic growth in West Nusa Tenggara Province.

Impact of formative assessment in improving writing skills in English as a second language among selected senior high school in Sulu

This descriptive-correlational study examined the impact of formative assessment on English as a second language writing skills in public senior high schools in Sulu during the School Year 2023-2024 using 100 samples taken through non-probability sampling via purposive sampling. It used weighted mean, standard deviation, t-test for independent samples, One-way ANOVA, and Pearson's and found the following:1) Of the 100 student-respondents, mostly male, 19–20 years old, enrolled in GAS strand, whose parents have elementary education and monthly incomes of 10,000 or less; 2) Formative assessment improved English writing skills on average; 3) Besides age, gender, strand, parent's educational attainment, and parent's average monthly income significantly moderate how senior high school students evaluate formative assessment's impact on English writing skills. The impact of formative assessment on English writing skills is perceived differently by student-respondents in different strands. ABM students perceive Writing Skill Development better, TVL students’ perception Teacher Feedback and Guidance, and HUMMS students’ perception Peer Interaction and Collaboration. Whereas, Student-respondents whose parent's average monthly income is within 10,000-15,000 are better perceivers of Writing Skill Development, Teacher Feedback &amp; Guidance, and Peer Interaction &amp; Collaboration; 4) Senior high school students in Sulu who perceived formative assessment as improving English writing skills as Agree or with High Extent are very similar; In ESL writing, this approach states that students learn from their own experiences, others, and their surroundings.

Transition to Post-Pandemic Education: Teaching Strategies of Tle Teachers in Secondary Public Schools

This study explored the teaching strategies of Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) course in Cluster 5, Davao City. There were eight (8) home economics teachers who participated in the study. This study made use of a phenomenological approach to extract the ideas of the parent participants. The participants were purposely selected as representatives from the group of home economics teachers from schools in the same division. The in-depth-interview was employed to gather some information as regards to their respective experiences on the transition of their classes from blended learning to the new face to face classes during the post pandemic school year. Using the thematic analysis, the following themes emerged as pertains to the teaching strategies that were most effective for students during the post pandemic time, these are: the most effective teaching strategies in their TLE classes were demonstration method, lecture method and solving common problems. The challenges of the teachers were: the lack of funds, lack of practical strategies and lack of qualified teachers. The suggested teaching strategies to facilitate the students learning was to improve communication and improvement of their collaboration with stakeholders. The Technology and Livelihood Education teachers may be more proactive in implementing the course to their learners. The teachers may be more attentive to the needs and predicaments of their learners and other stakeholders, thus creating the harmonious learning environment.

‘We haven’t even been able to talk!’: gender norms and masculinity exams in representations of sexuality in Spanish primary schools

ABSTRACT Through language, children participate actively in the construction of meanings around sexuality, which is governed unequally according to gender. This article examines the articulation of the social constructions of sexuality and gender with the pictorial and narrative representations of boys and girls from 9 to 11 years of age from four public schools in Barcelona province in the 2020–2021 school year. We used participatory methods, including drawing activities and focus groups. The findings suggest that hegemonic social constructions of masculinity and femininity guide children’s practices and narratives about sexuality, (re)producing differences between ‘boys’ and ‘girls’. The desire to fit into these hegemonic models puts pressure on boys to make their genitalia and bodies visible, and talk about sexuality through joking, while female genitalia are rendered invisible, and girls have calm discussions about sexuality. The article shows how children navigate, negotiate, or resist such governmentality and the inequalities that result.

Longitudinal study of the Drowning Prevention Knowledge Level of schoolchildren in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Drowning is quick, silent and recognized as a serious public health problem worldwide, but it is neglected. Children and adolescents receive insufficient education about drowning prevention. The objective of this study was to monitor changes in the Drowning Prevention Knowledge Level (DPKL) in elementary school children and adolescents at CAp-UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The methodology was a longitudinal study carried out from 2022 to 2024 with students from the (5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th years) of CAp-UERJ. 12 classes were monitored until 2024, totaling 336 students, four of which were in the 7th year, four in the 8th year and four in the 9th year, with a total of 112 students per year of schooling. A structured questionnaire divided into three parts containing 20 items about DPKL was answered at the school. In the 1st part, students correlated the universal figures used on signs to prevent drowning with the texts that signify those images (7 questions), in the 2nd part they had to relate the colors of the green, yellow and red flags and their meaning in regarding bathing conditions (3 questions) and in the last part, the student marked yes or no on statements related to the correct behavior to be adopted in the aquatic environment (10 questions). Each class received 3 interventions based on the individual DPKL result. When all years of schooling were analyzed together in three moments (2022, 2023 and 2024), the result showed that there was an improvement in knowledge about the 7 prevention signs, to the point that 99.1% of students now knew the meanings of the signs, and in two of them, sign no. 2, which refers to the emergency telephone and in no. 3, pushing prohibited, there was 100% accuracy. It was also possible to verify that after the intervention, almost all (98%) of the students correctly understood the meaning of the colors of the green, yellow and red flags. Regarding the behavior of playing nearby or putting their hand in the drain that sucks water from the pool, the result showed that the youngest were the ones who improved the most after intervention, going from 77.2% to 99.1% of those who responded correctly in 2024; about entering the pool, diving with a “somersault”, in a dangerous and inappropriate way, it was found that the older they were, the more aware of the danger caused by headfirst dives. Regarding the DPKL categorization, it was noted that 99% of students were classified as DPKL excellent in 2024. Those in the 8th and 9th years obtained 100% in the classification as DPKL excellent. It can be concluded that the school was a good place to carry out preventive interventions on drowning using an approach focused on behavior change, conceptual identification and student awareness in order to improve DPKL. The diagnostic use of DPKL to monitor school-age students can help identify safety values and concepts in certain regions of the country or specific groups that are not familiar with aquatic environments and thus help to formulate preventive interventions if necessary.

Comparing frequencies of adolescent suicide attempters pre- and during COVID-19 pandemic school terms

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic had and still have a major impact on adolescent mental health and consequently on suicidal behavior. However, few studies have investigated whether the pandemic has changed the patterns and the triggers of suicidality peaks in adolescents, e.g., seasonal patterns or family conflicts. We hypothesized that the pandemic modified suicidality rates: an increment of suicide attempts would be observed in the first semester of the academic year during COVID-19 pandemic compared to the same period of previous academic year; and the precipitating factors would be more related to social stressors during the pandemic school year.MethodsA retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the precipitating factors, also including school-related factors and cognitive skills, of adolescent suicide attempters occurred in the first and second semesters of the year before the pandemic lockdown (study periods 1 and 2) and the year after (study periods 3 and 4).ResultsThe sample consisted of 85 adolescents aged between 12 and 17 recruited consecutively from March 2019 to March 2021 at emergency ward because of suicide attempt. Forty-eight adolescents (55.3% of the sample) were attended before the lockdown (pre-pandemic group) and 38 (44.7%) the year after. The results showed a higher proportion of female suicide attempters in period 4 (Sept 2020-Feb 2021) respect to period 3 (Mar 2020-Aug 2020), i.e., pandemic semesters compared with the increment observed between period 2 and 1 (prepandemic semesters; Fisher’s exact test = 4.73; p = 0.026). The multinomial regression models showed a significant effect in the frequency of adolescents who attempted suicide (ratio χ2 = 15.19, p = 0.019), accounted by the differences between period 4 (Sept 2020-Feb 2021) and period 1 (Mar 2019-Aug 2019), with depressive symptoms being a significant contributing factor (Exp(b) = 0.93; p = 0.04). Additionally, social triggers and age were found to be significant risk factors for suicide attempts in the first semester of the pandemic academic year (period 4) compared to the same semester of the pre-pandemic year (period 2; Exp(b) = 0.16, p = 0.01, and Exp(b) = 1.88, p = 0.006, respectively).ConclusionsDuring the pandemic, the decrement between first and second semester of the number of females attempting suicide was more pronounced than in the prepandemic school year -though this findings lacked statistical power due to very limited sample size-. Change in the frequency of adolescent attempting suicide in the different school periods was associated with greater severity of depressive symptoms. Social relations in back-to-school after the lockdown were also associated with the number of adolescents attempting suicide.

Promoting emergent literacy skills among children at risk for specific learning disorder: general vs. Specific vs. Combined metacognitive interventions

ABSTRACT First graders with Developmental Language Disorder are considered at risk for exhibiting Specific Learning Disorder during school years. They also have deficiencies in their metacognitive skills, which leads to less effective learning processes. The current study examined, for the first time, the added value of various types of metacognitive interventions prior to an activity with an e-book for promoting language and literacy skills. Three experimental groups, each comprised of 30 first graders at risk for Specific Learning Disorder, were provided metacognitive intervention (specific, general, or combined) prior to an individual learning process with an e-book. The metacognitive interventions were designed according to the Triple A Model. Two control groups were also assigned: one control group engaged with an e-book without receiving any prior metacognitive intervention, and another followed its regular school activities. All groups were measured pre- and post-individual learning processes for language (vocabulary) and literacy (story comprehension) achievements. Results demonstrated an advantage to prior specific metacognitive intervention for promoting vocabulary as well as story comprehension measures. Although children at risk for Specific Learning Disorder tend to exhibit difficulties with generalisation processes, the combined metacognitive intervention proved to be as effective as the specific one.

Qualitative multi-stakeholder evaluation of the adoption, implementation and sustainment of theschool-based dietary intervention "Jump-in".

Comprehensive school-based programs applying the WHO Health Promoting School Model have the potential to initiate and sustain behavior change and impact health. However, since they often include intervention efforts on a school's policies, physical environment, curriculum, health care and involving parents and communities, they significantly 'intrude' on a complex system that is aimed primarily at education, not health promotion. More insights into and concrete strategies are therefore needed regarding their adoption, implementation, and sustainment processes to address the challenge to sustainable implementation of HPS initiatives in a primarily educational setting. This study consequently evaluates adoption, implementation and sustainment processes of Amsterdam's Jump-in healthy nutrition HPS intervention from a multi-stakeholder perspective. We conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups with all involved stakeholders (n = 131), i.e., Jump-in health promotion professionals (n = 5), school principals (n = 7), at-school Jump-in coordinators (n = 7), teachers (n = 20), parents (n = 50, 9 groups) and children (n = 42, 7 groups) from 10 primary schools that enrolled in Jump-in in the school year 2016-2017. Included schools had a higher prevalence of overweight and/or obesity than the Dutch average and they were all located in Amsterdam's low-SEP neighborhoods. Data were analyzed using a directed content analysis, in which the Determinants of Innovation Model was used for obtaining theory-based predetermined codes, supplemented with new codes emerging from the data. During intervention adoption, all stakeholders emphasized the importance of parental support, and accompanying workshops and promotional materials. Additionally, parents and teachers indicated that a shared responsibility for children's health and nuanced framing of health messages were important. During implementation, all stakeholders needed clear guidelines and support structures. Teachers and children highlighted the importance of peer influence, social norms, and uniform application of guidelines. School staff also found further tailoring of the intervention and dealing with financial constraints important. For long-term intervention sustainment, incorporating the intervention policies into the school statutes was crucial according to health promotion professionals. This qualitative evaluation provides valuable insights into factors influencing the adoption, implementation, and sustainment processes of dietary interventions, such as the importance of transparent and consistent intervention guidelines, clear communication regarding the rationale behind intervention guidelines, and, stakeholders' involvement in decision-making.

Are teachers absent more? Examining differences in absence between K-12 teachers and other college-educated workers

ABSTRACT While it is commonly believed that teachers take more absences than other professionals, few empirical studies have systematically investigated the prevalence of teacher absences in the U.S. This study documents the level of teacher absences and compares it with other college-educated workers. Using the Monthly Current Population Survey between the 1995 and 2019 school years, we conduct descriptive and regression analysis to estimate the level of teacher absences and the absence gaps between teachers and other college-educated workers. Additional regression analysis using data from the Leave Module of the American Time Use Survey is conducted to explain the gaps in absences between teachers and other observationally similar college-educated workers. The analysis reveals that 7% of teachers are absent at least once weekly, accounting for around 4% of their weekly working time. Compared to observationally similar college-educated workers, teachers take the same, if not less, amount of absences. Further investigation of teachers’ absence behaviour indicates that teachers report fewer demands for absences, have fewer paid leaves, and are more likely to attend work despite needing to be absent. We also find that individuals who prefer fewer absences tend to enter the teaching profession. This study adds to the emerging group of research examining the nature, determinants, and consequences of teacher absences using national-level data. Our findings imply that policymakers may be able to use more support programmes to increase teacher attendance.

O PROCESSO DE ALFABETIZAÇÃO NO 3° ANO DO ENSINO FUNDAMENTAL

The present research was outlined in literacy in the 3rd year of elementary school: an analysis of challenges faced by the family and post-pandemic pedagogical strategies. The objective was to present the challenges faced by the family and pedagogical strategies in the post-pandemic literacy process, in the 3rd year of Elementary School. The work unfolds in three points. First, the pandemic and post-pandemic scenario is presented. In the second and third points, they analyze, based on data collected through the application of questionnaires with the families of students in a 3rd grade class of a public school in Cascavel-PR, about the family's perception regarding literacy and the challenges faced during the pandemic, and the post-pandemic pedagogical strategies. It reflects on the importance of the mediation of the teacher and the school as an educational institution in the teaching-learning process, especially for students in the literacy phase.

Trajectories of mental health across the primary to secondary school transition

AbstractBackgroundAdolescence is a period of profound developmental change during which the prevalence of mental health problems starts to increase. It also typically coincides with a school transition. Understanding mental health trajectories through school transition is important to inform interventions to support young people's mental health during this period.MethodsIn a longitudinal study with three assessment points spaced six months apart spanning the transition from primary (T1 = end of primary school [Year 6]) to secondary school (T2 = beginning of the first year secondary school [Year 7]; T3 = end of first year of secondary school [Year 7]) we carried out a latent class growth analysis of symptoms of common mental health problems. Young people (mean age at baseline of 11.2 years, standard deviation 0.29; 46.8% female; 53.2% male) from South East England (n = 1861) were included. We modelled emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity and peer problems in parallel over the transition period. Individual‐level variables: socioeconomic status (SES), special educational need(s) (SEN), gender, negative life events (NLEs) and being worried about transition were tested as predictors of trajectory class membership using multinomial logistic regression.ResultsA model with four trajectory classes provided the best fit to the data: ‘persistently elevated’ mental health problems, ‘emotional and peer problems’, ‘hyperactivity and conduct problems’ and ‘persistently low’ mental health problems. Class membership was differentially predicted by the individual‐level variables.ConclusionsYoung people from low SES backgrounds, those with SEN and those who have experienced two or more NLEs are more likely to exhibit trajectories with elevated mental health difficulties through the transition to secondary school. Young people who were worried about transition were more likely to belong to a trajectory class characterised by elevated emotional problems.