Schools During Adolescence ISchool transitions during adolescenceHow do adolescents experience these transitions?Why is the transition to secondary school challenging?Slide 5Slide 6Who is most at risk during the transition?What can help with the transition to secondary school?Schools During Schools During Adolescence IAdolescence ISchools During Schools During Adolescence IAdolescence ISchool transitions during adolescence•During early adolescence, youth transition from elementary school to secondary school–Age of transition varies by district, typically in 5th, 6th, or 7th grade •This varies, but typically change for middle school/junior , again for high school, and again (for some) for college–Transition to secondary school coincides with puberty, cognitive, and social transitionsHow do adolescents experience these transitions?•With the transition to middle school–Academic motivation declines•Interest in school declines•Intrinsic motivation declines•Self perceptions/ academic self concept declines–Academic achievement declines•Lower grades (but not performance on standardized tests)•Increase in test anxiety•Focus on performance rather than masteryWhy is the transition to secondary school challenging?–The transition itself is stressful•New peers, new teachers, new environment•Association with older peers•The timing of this transition may be problematic–Cumulative stress theory (+ stressors, + risks)»Some evidence that transition is easier especially for girls if made during 9th grade, versus earlierWhy is the transition to secondary school challenging?–Lack of “stage-environment fit”•Are schools giving early adolescents what they need developmentally?•Early adolescence is a particularly vulnerable time and it is particularly important to meet developmental needsWhy is the transition to secondary school challenging?•Secondary schools, as compared to primary schools–Are larger, more impersonal»Relationships between students and teachers less personal and positive–Classrooms characterized by increased teacher control –Classrooms have fewer opportunities for student decision making and choice–Lower teacher efficacy–Grading more strict, more comparison based»Falling grades lead to beliefs about one’s ability, which further influences gradesWho is most at risk during the transition?•Adolescents who already are having problems are at greater risk–“Already existing” motivation, behavior, and psychological problems•Adolescents whose middle schools are –More impersonal/ anonymous–Larger–In low-income areas–Worst case scenario for problems with transition:•Pre-existing problems + impersonal, poor performing school+ timing coincides with other transitionsWhat can help with the transition to secondary school? •Increase teacher and parent knowledge about adolescent development and developmental needs•Strengthen ties between school and community resources•Facilitate school environments that are better fit to adolescents’ needs–School size (smaller)–Adolescent participation (higher)–Adolescent choice and autonomy facilitation
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