1. 1 PROBE Missouri State University in partial fulfillment of COU 781-Secondary Field Experience Dr. Marci Dowdy

2. 2 Improving Grades & Self-Esteem with 7 th Grade “At Risk” Students Piper Wilson Hickory Hills Middle School COU 781-Secondary Field Experience Piper831@Live.missouristate.edu

3. 3 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

4. 4 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 7 th grade group participants These students also displayed low self-esteem behaviors (low attendance and discipline issues)

5. 5 SIMS (Students, Interventions, Measurements and Settings) Students – 7 th grade students with at least one “F” in either English or Math on their 4 th 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

6. 6 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 2 nd and 3 rd hour elective classes Group Facilitator/Counselor was available between sessions for individual support

7. 7 The Intervention (cont.) Missouri Comprehensive Guidance Program www.missouricareereducation.org 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

8. 8 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

9. 9 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

10. 10 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

11. 11 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

12. 12 Results – Self-Esteem The results indicate seven of nine students experienced an increase in self-esteem *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

13. 13 Summary 7 of the 9 students improved F grades from 4 th 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

14. 14 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