ED358391 CG024881
Title: Program To Reduce Failure Rates of Ninth Grade Students.
Author(s): Pantleo, Sam J.
Pages: 103
Publication Date: December 1992
Notes: Major Applied Research Project, Ed.D., Nova University.
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC05 Plus Postage.
Language: English
Document Type: Dissertations/Theses--Doctoral Dissertations (041);
Test/questionnaires (160)
Geographic Source: U.S.; Colorado
Journal Announcement: RIENOV1993
This report
describes procedures to develop and implement a program to reduce
ninth grade failure rates at a high school of 1,200 students in
the center of a western city of 100,000. It is noted that grading
data collected at the middle school and the high school levels have
indicated that the number of failing grades increased substantially
as students moved from eighth to ninth grade. The solution to the
problem reported here involved a coordinated effort between middle
and high school teachers to increase student academic success. The
described program addressed problems associated with the middle
school transition by having eighth grade students attend a shadow
day and extracurricular fair to become familiar with the high school.
Additional time was spent assisting eighth grade students in selection
of classes for their ninth grade year and a peer leader program
was implemented which provided academic and social support for incoming
ninth grade students. Project results are presented which demonstrated
that students involved in the majority of program interventions
had a greater likelihood of succeeding in school and that ninth
grade students who had had frequent peer visits had fewer failing
grades. This report documents the problem background and context,
describes the project implementation, presents an evaluation of
results, and discusses decisions on the future of the intervention.
Appendices include survey instruments, teacher and peer leader comments,
and a peer/mentor/leader program proposal. Contains 42 references.
(NB)
Descriptors: Academic Achievement; *Academic Failure; Grade 8; *Grade
9; *High School Freshmen; High Schools; Junior High School Students;
Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; *Prevention; *Transitional
Programs
Identifiers: Middle School Students
