EASING THE TRANSITION FROM MIDDLE LEVEL EDUCATION TO HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to empirically investigate the transition from middle level education to high school, focusing on the 8th to 9th grade transition into a four-year high school. The experimental hypotheses were designed to answer the following questions: (1) What are the transitional effects on the early adolescent self-image? (2) What is the impact of age upon transition? (3) What information can be gained relative to intensity and duration of transition effects? (4) How can the information gained be used to ease the transition from middle level education to a four-year high school? The research design included the spring population of students from two 6-8 grade configuration middle level schools (School 1 and School 2) who will attend a 9-12 senior high school in the fall. A questionnaire composed of seven self-image measures was administered two weeks prior to the end of the 1984/85 school year, three days into the 1985/86 school year, and three days prior to the end of the first quarter of the 1985/86 school year. The findings of this study indicate that the null hypotheses are not supported in their entirety by each of the seven dimensions of self-image. Transition effects, as reported by Occasion 1 and Occasion 2 data, yielded an unexpected decrease in perceptions of victimization, and an expected increase in feelings of anonymity. School 1 revealed no visible effects to self-esteem by the transition, with School 2 reporting an increase in self-esteem 3 days into the transition. For impact of age upon transition, this age group of early adolescents (13 or 14 years old) did not report a decrease in self-esteem or an overwhelming feeling of victimization. Transition effects for the 13 or 14 year old were minimal. Analysis of data from the third administration of the POS would indicate the self-esteem of the population was not negatively effected by the transition. Based on this study, there were decreased perceptions of victimization, and increased perceptions of anonymity by 13 or 14 year olds in transition from the 8th to 9th grade.