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PROBE

Missouri State University

in partial fulfillment of

COU 781-Secondary Field ExperienceDr. Marci Dowdy

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Improving Grades & Self-Esteem with 7th Grade “At

Risk” Students

Piper Wilson Hickory Hills Middle School

COU 781-Secondary Field ExperiencePiper831@Live.missouristate.edu

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Presentation Outline

Title of Project with Contact Information 1 The Problem 3 S.I.M.S. 4 Intervention 5-8 Results 9-11 Implications 12 Recommendations 13

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The Problem

There is a need to improve grades for several students at Hickory Hills Middle School

For the 08-09 school year, 4th quarter grades showed numerous F for the 7th grade group participants

These students also displayed low self-esteem behaviors

(low attendance and discipline issues)

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SIMS(Students, Interventions, Measurements and Settings)

Students – 7th grade students with at least one “F” in either English or Math on their 4th quarter report card (2008-2009)

Interventions – Participate in one of two groups focused on student success

Measurements –(1) F grades were counted and compared before and after the eight week group(2)Pre and Post tests of the Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale

Settings - Counselor met with students in a “teacher work room” at Hickory Hills Middle School

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The Intervention

16 students with an F grade in either English or Math were targeted for intervention

“Student Success” groups (2) met for eight weeks alternating between 2nd and 3rd hour elective classes

Group Facilitator/Counselor was available between sessions for individual support

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The Intervention (cont.)

Missouri Comprehensive Guidance Program www.missouricareereducation.org

Session 1- “Getting To Know You”Discussion of Group Norms and Confidentiality, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Pre-Test), Attendance/Participation

Session 2- “Getting Your Act Together”Organization (Jenga), Group Norms, Confidentiality, Planner, Setting up a Planner with a Plan, Student Assignment Log

*group norms and confidentially were discussed in each group

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The Intervention (cont.)

Session 3- “Where Does the Time Go?”Group Norms (Student Signature), Pie of Life, How I Spend My Day, Planning My Week

Session 4- “Where Are We Now?”Group discussion-group half over, finish worksheets from session 3, brags from teachers/staff, planner

Session 5- “Checking Personal Study Habits?”Checking Out Your Personal Study Habits Survey, Planner

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The Intervention (cont.)

Session 6-“Making the Most of Your Assignments”SQ3R, Good Working Habits Improvement, A Key to Improving Assignments

Session 7- “This is Only a Test”Becoming Test Wise, Counselor Information Sheet-Student Version, Planner, Group discussion-last group/ party plans

Session 8- “That’s a Wrap!”Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Post-Test), Certificates of Group Completion, 2 Truths-1 Lie Game, Group Discussion-Closing, Group Celebration

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Results

16 Students began group, 9 completed the total eight weeks

Reasons for drop out include: - Participant 1 – moved out of district

- Participant 2 – Solutions- Participant 3 – Suspension - Participant 5 – No Longer Interested in Group

- Participant 7 – Aims - Participant 9 – Hotline Calls, Parents Pulled Student- Particpant 16 – Discipline Referrals

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Results – Grades

The results indicate a decrease in overall F grades

*5 students no longer had any F on transcript

*3 students change F grade to B

*Overall, 7 of 9 students showed improvement by at least one letter grade

Total Number of 'F' Grades in English or Math

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3

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

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Before After

Before and After - Eight Week Group

Num

ber o

f F's

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Results – Self-Esteem

The results indicate seven of nine students experienced an increase in self-esteem

Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Participant

Tota

l Sco

re

Pre-Test

Post-Test

Pre-Test 20 29 20 21 15 18 23 22 15

Post-Test 27 27 22 27 20 23 29 19 23

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

*participant 12 completed pre-test at three weeks

*participant 14 displayed a decrease in self-esteem, but experienced an increase in bullying behaviors, and issues at home

http://www.wwnorton.com/college/psych/psychsci/media/rosenberg.htm

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Summary

7 of the 9 students improved F grades from 4th quarter (08-09)

7 of the 9 students demonstrated an increase in self-esteem over the eight week group

Half of all students received “brags” from teachers (for increased participation, and increased efforts in grade improvement)

Students displayed improvement in social interactions, organization, and study skills

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Recommendations

Identify individual students who continue to struggle with F grades

Continue to monitor this group of students throughout the year

Random checks of planners, grades, and individual meetings

Utilize the small group process with additional students