The Concerns and Attitudes of Early Adolescent Middle School Students in Transition to High School

Abstract

AbstractThis study investigated the concerns and attitudes of early adolescent students in middle schools. A total of 192 eighth grade and 190 ninth grade students were surveyed to obtain information on attitudes toward the middle school experience and concerns of transition to high school. Results were factor analyzed and indicated such factors as need for self-direction, confidence about academic performance, friendship, belongingness in school, poor progress with schoolwork, general dislike of school, and positive attribution. Those students who experienced a difficult transition indicated being unaccepted by both classmates and teachers as the primary cause for the inability to adjust. ANOVAs were used to test for effects of grade level, past perceived achievement (GPA), gender, and whether or not an older sibling attended the same school for each of the factors identified.