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There is evidence that demonstrates the important role both parents and teachers play in the successful transition of children to middle school. While there is significant research into how both impact student success, there is a paucity of research into what teachers perceive parents believe are the expectations and concerns of their child as they transition to middle school. The purpose of this study was to use descriptive statistics obtained from surveys to explore what parents believed were the expectations and concerns of their child regarding the upcoming transition to middle school. Additionally, the study examined what teachers perceived parents believed their child's expectations and concerns were as they were about to transition to middle school. Finally, a comparison was done to find similarities and differences between the two groups. A survey was administered to 72 parents attending a new school orientation for incoming middle school students at a small rural school in Ohio. The same survey was administered to 16 middle school teaching staff members from the school the students would be attending. Parents and teachers identified both perceived academic and social concerns of children about to enter middle school. This included concerns such as getting good grades and having hard teachers as well as participating in social events and extracurricular activities. Both parents and teachers tended to have a holistic view of the identified items of excitement and worry concerning the transition to middle school. This indicated there was no major focus on overall academic or social concerns regarding the transition to middle school but rather a concern for the overall wellbeing of the student which is an important factor in establishing a successful school climate and dealing with the stresses faced by middle school students today.
"The goal of this study is to analyze the perceptions of transitioning fifth and eight-grade students, their parents, and their teachers"--Leaf 6.
This qualitative case study was designed to discover fifth and sixth grade teachers' and administrators' perceptions related to the middle school transition process relative to the academic, social, and organizational needs of students in a large, suburban school district in Pennsylvania. The participants were teachers of the core academic areas, encore subject teachers, counselors, and administrators at both the elementary and middle school levels. This research examined the results based upon the responses of 48 fifth grade teachers from ten elementary schools, 62 sixth grade teachers from two middle schools, and nine administrators from both elementary and middle schools who completed an online instrument - Perceptions of Transition Survey (POTS). The teacher and administrator POTS survey contained phrases that measured the extent to which they believe students will look forward to, may be worried about, and open-ended questions designed to obtain further teacher and administrator insight regarding the transition to middle school. Results of the study indicated all three groups (5th grade teachers, 6th grade teachers, and administrators) identified student social and academic issues as the defining characteristics of middle school transition. Identifying the consistent and inconsistent messages of school staff members across elementary and middle school buildings may guide future research as school districts strive to provide students with a successful foundation form middle school transitions.
The purpose of this action research-based study was to identify first- year middle school students’ perceptions of the influences of a teacher advisory (TA) program on their transition concerns and connectedness with a teacher before and after their first nine weeks in the middle school. The transition from elementary school to middle school can be difficult for students due to the structural and cultural changes in the middle school organization and the adolescent development that occurs. The use of an advisory group led by a teacher to assist in this transition and connectedness is a program that was the subject of this study. Student perceptions were obtained from quantitative results from a pre-and post-survey and then followed up with qualitative findings from focus group protocol to explore the quantitative results in more depth.The main research question explored was: What are advisory-based students’ perceptions of transition and connectedness in their first-year of middle school? Supporting questions were: To what extent do perceptions of transition concerns and connectedness with a teacher change before and after students enter the middle school? What, if any, gender, age, ethnicity, and feeder school attendance demographic differences exist in these perceptions? What, if any, differences exist between advisory and non-advisory students’ perceptions on their transition concerns and connectedness? The conclusions from the quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed that at the end of nine weeks in the middle school: 1) Transition concerns decreased for both advisory and non-advisory students; 2) Connectedness with a teacher decreased for both advisory and non-advisory students with a higher connectedness for advisory students than non-advisory students; 3) Advisory students expressed a more positive view of advisory teachers than non-advisory students expressed of homeroom teachers; 4) Advisory students overall had a positive perception of the TA program and the TA teacher despite a decrease in connectedness. Implications and recommendations for education personnel are provided.
With detailed examples of best practices from middle schools across the country, this book features research-based strategies and suggestions for transition programs. It covers the roles of school principals, counselors, classroom teachers, and the central office.
Young teens undergo multiple changes that seem to set them apart from other students. But do middle schools actually meet their special needs? The authors describe some of the challenges and offer ways to tackle them, such as reassessing the organization of grades K-12; specifically assisting the students most in need; finding ways to prevent disciplinary problems; and helping parents understand how they can help their children learn at home.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine elementary and middle school teacher and administrator perceptions of variables that impact student transition from elementary school to middle school and to examine elementary and middle school teacher perspectives of student emotional readiness for middle school. A total of 30 educational professional staff, 26 teachers and four administrators, from two semi-rural public school districts in southeastern Pennsylvania completed surveys containing Likert scale questions. Two teachers and two administrators participated in the interview portion of the study to further explore their perceptions about student transition into middle school. The results of this study affirmed the importance of a cohesive transition program for students. The findings of this research identified a majority consistency of 70% between the perspectives of teachers and the perspectives of administrators regarding variables that impact student transition to middle school. Teachers were evenly divided on whether their students were academically prepared for middle school, although, the majority of teachers did not feel their students were behaviorally ready for middle school. Findings identified significant gaps in current transition activities. Response data supported transition activities were void of current crucial social issues facing today's youth. These findings can guide future research for school districts to create comprehensive transition plans to ensure students are given the greatest opportunity for success.
School transition is a life changing event for children - they are rarely faced with such a powerful set of personal and social changes. These underpin the immediate and longer term wellbeing of children, peer groups, teachers and schools. Understanding School Transition provides a most comprehensive, international review of this important area, complete with practical advice on what practitioners can do to support children’s wellbeing, motivation and achievement. Offering an accessible introduction to children’s psychology at transition, Understanding School Transition explores transition as a status passage, what we really mean by wellbeing, and the ways in which children adapt to new environments. Key chapters focus on: Understanding stress and anxiety Children’s hopes, fears and myths at transition Parents’ and teachers’ influence and role Children’s relationships with peers as they change schools Children’s personal and collective identities Motivation, engagement and achievement Supporting the most vulnerable children Crucially, it advises how you can help children through implementing transition interventions and evaluating their success in your own school. Illustrated by case studies of experiences in real schools, Understanding School Transition will be essential reading for all training and practising teachers, as well as transition and subject specialists, who want to better understand and influence what happens to children at this critical stage.
"The text is wide-ranging and discusses different approaches and examples of good practice in supporting transition, from around the world. ... Supporting Transitions in the Early Years gives early years practitioners a real insight into the theory that should underpin high quality everyday practice for everyone engaging with young children." Early Years Update Supporting Transitions in the Early Years explores the whole range of early childhood transitions, rather than simply looking at starting school or pre-school. It helps parents, practitioners, policy-makers and Early Years students at every level, to understand and support the successive transitions made by young children from birth to five. Starting from a discussion of the rapid pace of change in current societies, and children's need to acquire flexibility and resilience in adapting to change, it offers examples of transitions such as: Babies and toddlers moving into under-3s care Pre-schoolers moving into school Reception children moving into formal learning classrooms Support for the transitions of children with English as an additional language or special needs At each stage, individual case studies are discussed in relation to relevant theories of development and learning, and contemporary perspectives on children's well-being and children's rights. The international case studies offer clear examples of the ways that adults in high-quality settings can work together with parents to strengthen children's positive dispositions. The book highlights key qualities - resilience, resourcefulness and reciprocity - which adults should seek to foster in children, to facilitate their current transitions and prepare them for a future of change. The author also underlines the importance of listening to children from birth onwards, if we are to offer the kind of caring and educative environments that will best support their well-being.