Transcript Poster template - Kent State University

Challenges of Middle School
Shaye Laubert and Samantha Mesko
Rootstown High School
Introduction
Our health concern was related to Middle school
youth. We believe that they do not fully understand
what high school will be like and may have some
concerns that are unrealistic. We felt that the
following issues may be of importance: peer
pressure, drugs and alcohol, bullying( the real
deal), staying in school and relationships. To figure
out what were the key challenges that middleschool students focused on, we surveyed 6th, 7th
and 8th graders on what they felt high school
would be like. We also interviewed guidance
counselors to determine their perspective and then
came to complete our research by asking high
school seniors how their experience was and how
this compared to their perception. Our data
revealed that the key concerns for boys and girls
were different in multiple aspects. Girls number
one concern was based on social connection and
peer concerns. Boys number one challenge was
worry about achievement in sports and completing
school. The treatment we applied to this project to
intervene around these issues was a “intervention
question and answer period at the middle school.
We did this intervention period by dividing
students into gender groups and targeted their
problems one on one and in general in a
discussion. No students were singled out ~ all
students were encouraged to participate
Results
Data in General Findings of Females
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
6th Female
7th Female
8th Female
I am scared the There are a lot the teachers
I will have a
upperclassmen of high school help me when I hard time
will push me
parties.
need it.
getting to my
around; I will
classes on time.
get bullied.
I have to do There will be a
things I don't
lot of
want to do in opportunities
order to fit in for me to find
and find
friends
friends.
Data in General Findings in Males
120%
100%
80%
60%
6th Female
7th Female
8th Female
40%
20%
0%
Define what bullying is…
I am scared the There are a lot of the teachers help I will have a hard I have to do
There will be a
upperclassmen
high school
me when I need time getting to
things I don't
lot of
TREND what is the issue --bullying?
Background
will push me
parties.
it.
my classes on
want to do in opportunities for
7th grade boys drop out (talking about it)
around; I will get
time.
order to fit in and me to find friends
th
8 grade girls –cliques
bullied.
find friends.
•Children
in
middle
school
are
faced
with
many
Social issues –future
changes that affect many aspects of their lives.
Sports playingDuring
and concerns
Quotes from the Research
this
time,
children
are
desperate
to
find
a
6th grade misperception
of high
school
place to belong,
and
often (boys)
make choices that
th grade boy
•
“I
think
bullying,
cliques,
algebra,
science
class
and
peer
pressure
will
be
worse”
~8
6th grade girls negatively
worried about
having
sex,
relationships,
classmates
getting
pregnant
affect academic achievement and their
• “I don’t see why everybody is always so eager to start high school ~it just another school.” ~ 8 th grade boy
to experienceoptimum
healthfreshman
(Shultz, 2008).
Fear of MEANability
GIRLS
and other grades hating
During the transition from childhood to adulthood,
• “No, Because I hate School”~7th grade boy
adolescents experience significant biological,
• “No because I’m dropping out” and “bullies, drugs and cops (items that scare them the most)”~7 th grade
cognitive, emotional, and social change
boy
(Mertens,2006).
• “I think the cliques will get very bad. I’ve have heard that high school there are a lot of problems… and
•Early adolescence is a period of tremendous
th grade girl
drama”
~8
variability during which middle school students are
• “I hope it doesn’t happen but I don’t want anyone to bully me anymore”~8th grade girl
conscious witnesses to their own development
(NMSA, 2003). Nol onger children and not yet
• “…becoming a bad kid and doing stuff I don’t usually do”~ 7th grade girl
adults, young adolescents make significant
• “Yes –Because it is the PARTY YEARS” -6th grade boy
choices about their health and develop attitudes
• Being bullied, pregnant classmates and don’t know what job I want” ~ 6th grade girl
and health practices that continue into adulthood
(Mertens, 2006).
•A successful middle school provides an
environment that is developmentally responsive
and that promotes an abundance of opportunities
for students to develop and maintain healthy
minds and bodies and to understand their own
personal growth (Mendez,2006).
•Social connectedness impacts students health
behaviors (resnick, 1997). Students who have
support systems and people who understand them
or are involved with them do better in school and
avoid some of the peer pressure issues that can
occur in school (Blumn, 2002).
Literature cited
• NMSA research summary - adolescent health,
wellness, and safety (october 2006).Retrieved
4/4/2013,
http://www.nmsa.org/Research/ResearchSum
maries/Health/tabid/267/Default.aspx
• Mendez, L., Young, E., Mihalas, S.,
Cusumano, D., & Hoffmann, L. (2006,
November).
What Teachers Can Do to Reduce Hidden
Stressors for Girls in Middle School.
Middle School Journal, 38(2), 13-22.
• Dalton, Amanda. "FACTORS AFFECTING
THE HEALTH OF MIDDLE SCHOOL
STUDENTS." Ohio University, n.d. Web. 8
Positive Trends (Conclusions)
• Girls indicated a maturity over time (more
realistic impression of what HS will actually
be)
• Girls indicated desire to achieve high in
school and take PSEOP (8th grade)
• No discussion of sexuality (good or bad?)
boys
• 8th grade boys and girls excited about
Maplewood and Biomed for high school
• 8th grade motivated to achieve high
standard in sports and schools (boys)
• Excited about high school
Apr. 2013.
<http://www.cehs.ohio.edu/resources/docum
ents/dalton.pdf>.
• Resnick MD, Bearman PS, Blum RW, et al.
Protecting adolescents from harm. Findings
from the National Longitudinal Study on
Adolescent Health. JAMA 1997;278(10):823–
832.
• Blum RW, McNeely C, Rinehart PM.
Improving the odds: the untapped power of
schools to improve the health of teens.
Minneapolis: Center for Adolescent Health
and Development, University of Minnesota;
2002.
Higher Order Concerns (more
research needed…)
•Define what bullying is…
•TREND what is the issue --bullying?
•7th grade boys drop out (talking about it)
•8th grade girls –cliques
•Social issues –future
•Sports playing and concerns
•6th grade misperception of high school (boys)
•6th grade girls worried about having sex,
relationships, classmates getting pregnant
•Fear of MEAN GIRLS and other grades hating
freshman
Counselor Interview Findings…
•Each grade has their own problems which is a reflection
of their age
•Some 8th graders are ready for HS ~ others will find it to
be a “Rude Awakening”
•Kids do not understand what BULLYING is…
•Kids DO NOT ask for help ~ and do not seem to want
adults to offer them help.
•Does not see the drama ~ she thinks the kids would like
to handle it themselves.