The effects of an academic study skills program on 7th grade students.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the Academic Study Skills Program (ASSP) on 7th grade students' Self-Concept, Academic Aspiration, Academic Anxiety, and Grade Point Averages. The differences on Self-Concept, Academic Aspiration, Academic Anxiety, and Grade Point Averages were compared with students who received the ASSP with students that did not receive the ASSP. Gender comparisons on Self-Concept, Academic Aspiration, Academic Anxiety, and Grade Point Averages were also examined between the students who received the ASSP. The ASSP in this study consists of six components: Organizational Skills, Test Taking Skills, Listening Skills, Time Management Skills, Note Taking Skills, and Following Directions. Each of these skills were taught on a daily basis for a nine week period to one group of students. A second group of students did not receive instruction in the six components of the program as a structured class. The sample consisted of 79 7th grade students. Thirty-two students received the ASSP program. Forty-seven students did not receive any special treatment. Both groups of students were given a pre-test and a post-test. The Academic and Social Environment Scale (ASES) was administered to both groups again nine weeks later. Grade Point Averages for Languages Arts, Math, and Science were computed for each student at the beginning of this nine-week period and at the end of the same nine-week period. The findings of the data analyses did not indicate significant differences between the two groups in the variables examined. However, there were some differences noted between males and females within the ASSP group in the variables of Academic Aspiration and Academic Anxiety. Although the findings of this study did not show the ASSP treatment as having a significant impact on the students in this study, there is enough evidence to suggest that an ASSP can be beneficial to students. Further studies of this nature should be pursued.