...THE EFFECT OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT A Thesis by Jennifer Barry Bachelor of Arts, Wichita State University, 2005 Submitted to the Department of Sociology And the faculty of the Graduate School of Wichita State University in partial fulfillment of The requirements for the degree of Master of Arts December 2006 THE EFFECT OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT I have examined the final copy of this thesis for form and content, and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Arts with a major in Sociology. ___________________________________ Dr. David Wright, Committee Chair We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance. ___________________________________ Dr. Kathleen Perez, Committee Member ___________________________________ Dr. Brien Bolin, Committee Member ii ABSTRACT This study addresses the increasing importance of student test scores by examining the different factors that influence test scores. Composite test scores of tenth grade students from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 are examined using a four-part model which includes student role performance, school, family, and peer factors. Ordinary Least Squares analysis indicates that the strongest predictor of student test scores is socioeconomic status, resulting in a statistically significant increase in the standardized coefficient of .224 points. These results support...
Words: 10197 - Pages: 41
...Adolescent students are also believed to be heavily influenced by those around them, particularly their chosen peers. In fact, according to Laird & Pettit (1999), peer relationships in adolescence are believed to play an integral part in desirable and undesirable developmental outcomes. Moreover, Adolescent students’ daily activities revolve around peers who have influence over a person’s life. In fact, according to Aries (2001), deviant peer groups have negative influence to those around them. They are also viewed by people negatively as, their actions do not follow the rules and values that parents teach their children. According to a study done by Haugaard (2001), adolescents consider the social rewards of having done acts deviant behaviors,...
Words: 1195 - Pages: 5
...GOFF, ANNE-MARIE, Ph.D. Stressors, Academic Performance, and Learned Resourcefulness in Baccalaureate Nursing Students. (2009) Directed by Dr. David F. Ayers. 135 pp. Despite extensive research establishing that stress affects problem-solving ability and coping, and leads to decreased learning, academic performance, and retention in nursing students, a paucity of research explores specific factors that could enhance these learning processes and outcomes. This explanatory correlational study examines the mediating effect of learned resourcefulness, the ability to regulate emotions and cognitions, on the relationships of stressors—both personal and academic—to academic performance in baccalaureate nursing students. Gadzella’s Student-life Stress Inventory (SSI) and Rosenbaum’s Self-Control Scale (SCS), a measure of learned resourcefulness, were administered to 53 junior level baccalaureate nursing students (92.5% female; 84.9% Caucasian; 9.4% African-American or Black) at a large urban university in North Carolina. High levels of both personal and academic stressors were revealed, but were not significant predictors of academic performance (p = .90). Age was a significant predictor of academic performance (p < .01) and both males and African-American/ Black participants had higher learned resourcefulness scores on the SCS than females and Caucasians. Total stress scores on the Student-life Stress Inventory showed that male participants perceived less stress (N = 4, M = 116.5)...
Words: 31374 - Pages: 126
...Leadership Styles and School Effectiveness Labels: Change Management Research Proposals, Leadership Research Proposals, Strategic Management Research Proposals, Travel Research Proposals Introduction The human mind is like a mine bestowed with billions of innovative seeds, and every one of those seeds can grow a fruitful tree of new inventions. At home, the education of a newly born child starts from the lap of a mother, for whom it is an obligatory privilege to look after her child. Education starting in the dark-age has been transformed as it has passed from mind to mind and race to race, based on spiritually traditional ways of learning, observations, and experiences. The acquisition of knowledge began with the informal learning process at home to formal learning in institutions or schools. In this way, knowledge was progressively traveling down different paths and in different ways through human minds. In recent years, the advent of new technologies from photocopying machines to computer programs, optical scanners, and telecommunication networks has contributed to knowledge transformation. Moreover, today, the dominance of digital technologies and distorted media information has set the stage for the human mind to be idle. It can be thought that the idleness of mind is not due to insufficient or a lack of information and ideas for knowledge development but rather the inevitability of creating multiple choices and overloading us with information. Here, the ramifications...
Words: 1095 - Pages: 5
...The Affirmative action policy was designed to provide equality and opportunity to minority groups in the United States. Affirmative action is supposed to impede discrimination in direct correlation to minorities and increase opportunities for employment and academic instruction. Race and class are parallel to the contingency gap in America. It is evident that classifying people solely on one’s race, social class or sex is oppressive, but in the same token is positive discrimination effective? In correlation to institutes of higher education, students who are bestowed acceptance due to athletic ability, legacy, minority or quota are at a further disadvantage than students who attain admission on their own merits. According to, Steven A. Carbone...
Words: 285 - Pages: 2
...What Does Making Excellence Inclusive in Education Mean? Student’s Name Institution What Does Making Excellence Inclusive in Education Mean? In the current education system, the performance of students is to some extent influenced by their background. This influence is in terms of race, region, social class, language, and ethnicity. Students from underserved social backgrounds often perform poorly as compared to those in highly regarded social contexts (Kuh, 2008). To this end, there is no equality in the current education system. This act precipitates a growing need for making education excellence inclusive. Education excellence inclusive means that all students are guided and given room to prove they're potential irrespective of their social backing (Clayton-Pedersen, O'Neill, and Musil, 2009). Making excellence inclusive in the education system, therefore, means that race, cultural diversity, language, the color of the skin and ethnicity are disregarded. As variables for influencing education performance and achievement in schools (Tierney, 2007). Performance is solely based on merit and not on cultural background as it is been the tradition. Cultural diversity has always had negative impacts on the education system, as race and background have been used to gauge the potential of certain students (Tierney, 2007). This fact means that it is erroneous to pronounce a particular student who hails from a minority group or culture as the top performer...
Words: 673 - Pages: 3
...ABSTRACT The publication of Hernstein & Murray’s (1994) “The Bell Curve” appears to be the latest expression of pseudo scientific theories with respect to race and intelligence. This paper gives an historical and ideological insight behind the development and application of intelligence tests by citing examples of their impact on legislation, social policy and intervention programmes in relation to Blacks. More importantly, a discussion of cultural bias in test design focuses on the response of Black psychologists who developed Black intelligence tests that portray whites as intellectually inferior in the same manner that Blacks are portrayed as intellectually inferior on tests devised by white psychologist. Furthermore, The hereditary perspective of intelligence is challenged by empirical evidence that centres on children with white ancestry to assess whether white genes influence intelligence while citing several sources that support the environmental explanation of the race gap in test scores. Consequently, this discussion questions the reliability and validity of intelligence tests that are used to reinforce the Black intellectual inferiority myth. The conclusive argument suggests in no uncertain terms that the Bell Curve is nothing more than the repackaging of racist pseudo-scientific conclusions by right wing academics, intent on rekindling a political debate premised on a racist manifesto to justify the withdrawal of intervention programmes that challenge existing social...
Words: 5892 - Pages: 24
...particularly television, have long been criticized for their potential impact on children. One area for concern is how early media exposure influences cognitive development and academic achievement. Heather Kirkorian, Ellen Wartella, and Daniel Anderson summarize the relevant research and provide suggestions for maximizing the positive effects of media and minimizing the negative effects. One focus of the authors is the seemingly unique effect of television on children under age two. Although research clearly demonstrates that well-designed, age-appropriate, educational television can be beneficial to children of preschool age, studies on infants and toddlers suggest that these young children may better understand and learn from real-life experiences than they do from video. Moreover, some research suggests that exposure to television during the first few years of life may be associated with poorer cognitive development. With respect to children over two, the authors emphasize the importance of content in mediating the effect of television on cognitive skills and academic achievement. Early exposure to age-appropriate programs designed around an educational curriculum is associated with cognitive and academic enhancement, whereas exposure to pure entertainment, and violent content in particular, is associated with poorer cognitive development and lower academic achievement. The authors point out that producers and parents can take steps to maximize the positive effects of media and minimize...
Words: 20968 - Pages: 84
...THE IMPACT OF FAMILY STRUCTURE ON UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE By Eweniyi, G. D (Ph.D.) Olabisi Onabamijo University, Ago-lwoye. Abstract This paper is a report of the study that examined the impact of family structure on the academic performance of university students. The sample for the study consisted of 240 students drawn from the six randomly selected faculties in Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-lwoye. The adapted form of "Guidance and Counselling Achievement Grade Form" was used for data collection and the data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using the t-test statistical method. The three null hypotheses formulated were tested at .05 level of significance. The results showed that significant differences existed between the academic performance of students from single-parent family and those from two-parent family structures. The results also indicated significant differences in academic performance of male and female students compared on two types of family structures. On the basis of these findings, it was recommended that school counsellors should be employed in all schools and that they should provide necessary assistance to students especially those from single-parent family to enable them overcome their emotional concerns. Introduction Over the years, the investigations of the factors that influence academic performance of students have attracted the interest and concern of teachers, counsellors, psychologists, researchers and...
Words: 2617 - Pages: 11
...THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FACEBOOK™ ACTIVITY AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS by Eric V. Brubaker Liberty University A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Liberty University April, 2013 1 The Relationship Between Facebook™ Activity and Academic Performance Among African American Students by Eric V. Brubaker A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA April, 2013 APPROVED BY: Amanda Rockinson-Szapkiw, Ed.D., Committee Chair Jennifer Courduff, Ph.D., Committee Member Judy Sandlin, Ph.D., Committee Member Scott Watson, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Advanced Programs 2 ABSTRACT This non-experimental, regression study examined the relationship between Facebook™ activity and academic performance for an African American sample population. The study was conducted at a large, four-year, private university in the Mid-Atlantic. All undergraduate, African American students enrolled in the College of General Studies, School of Health Sciences, and School of Education comprised the sample population. Volunteer participants completed a Facebook™ Activity Survey, which is an instrument used to collect semester grade point averages (GPAs), time-use of Facebook™, multitasking information, type of Facebook™ activities, and demographic information. The results of...
Words: 27934 - Pages: 112
...determine by their academic performances that is also focuses on their personality behaviour. According to their grades we can determine the academic performance of a student. It says that if the student earns high grades it means that they learn a lot, while low grades indicates lesser learning. Academic performance focuses and concentrates on you having the right mind-set for raising your academic performance so you can learn more effectively. It is how students deal with their studies and how they cope with or accomplish different tasks given to them by their teachers. While personal variables is the things to be considered in your personality that may have an effect in your academic performance in school. In this research, it tackles the relationship of academic performance of the student from the College of Education, particularly BBTE 3rd year students to their personal variables. There are many factors that academic performance and personal variable are related to each other like; personal variable (cognitive and non-cognitive), demographic variable, and institutional variable. In fact, almost all of existing environmental and personal factors are a variable of academic performance. However, at this point of time, the researchers would like to study the relationship of academic performance of BBTE 3rd year students to their personal variables and the factors that may affect it. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY In measuring of academic performance of students is challenging...
Words: 1074 - Pages: 5
...© Kamla-Raj 2008 Stud Home Comm Sci, 2(2): 121-124 (2008) The Effects of Family Structure and Parenthood on the Academic Performance of Nigerian University Students V. O. Uwaifo Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria Telephone: (234) 08035472684, E-mail: vuwaifo@yahoo.com KEYWORDS Parent Education. Academic Performance. Family Structures ABSTRACT This paper examines the effects of family structure and parenthood on the academic performance of Nigerian university students. The sample for the study consisted of 240 students drawn from the six randomly selected faculties in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State. The adapted form of “Guidance and Counseling Achievement Grade Form” was used for data collection and the data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using the t-test statistical method. The three null hypotheses formulated were tested at .05 level of significance. The results showed that significant differences existed between the academic performance of students from singleparent family and those from two-parent family structures. The results also indicated significant differences in academic performance of male and female students compared on two types of family structures. On the basis of these findings, it was recommended that school counsellors should be employed in all schools and that they should provide necessary assistance to students especially those from single-parent family...
Words: 2666 - Pages: 11
...© Kamla-Raj 2008 Stud Home Comm Sci, 2(2): 121-124 (2008) The Effects of Family Structure and Parenthood on the Academic Performance of Nigerian University Students V. O. Uwaifo Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria Telephone: (234) 08035472684, E-mail: vuwaifo@yahoo.com KEYWORDS Parent Education. Academic Performance. Family Structures ABSTRACT This paper examines the effects of family structure and parenthood on the academic performance of Nigerian university students. The sample for the study consisted of 240 students drawn from the six randomly selected faculties in Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State. The adapted form of “Guidance and Counseling Achievement Grade Form” was used for data collection and the data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using the t-test statistical method. The three null hypotheses formulated were tested at .05 level of significance. The results showed that significant differences existed between the academic performance of students from singleparent family and those from two-parent family structures. The results also indicated significant differences in academic performance of male and female students compared on two types of family structures. On the basis of these findings, it was recommended that school counsellors should be employed in all schools and that they should provide necessary assistance to students especially those from single-parent family...
Words: 2666 - Pages: 11
...Immigrants come from all over to the United States because of the opportunities offered here. Latino immigrants face many problems and I want to focus on education. Culture from different races that come to America and how important the value of education is to these cultures. Also the troubles and boundaries that cultures face with education in America. People started emigrating to the United Stated many years ago. The article “Immigration” is from the The American Economy: A Historical Encyclopedia and is written by Eric Pullin. This article is a brief summary of immigration in America. Pullin briefly explains the emigration that occurred during the nineteenth and twentieth century. A lot of immigrants emigrated to the U.S because of “educational...
Words: 760 - Pages: 4
...decisions are affected by various factors that are often not controlled by students like part-time jobs, involvement in organizational activities, etc. Another major factor that affects students’ academic performance according to researchers is dating or being in a relationship. Upon entering a relationship during college, one might be forced to choose to either study, or spend time with his partner. This may leave the student with a lot of stress that may affect the student including his studies. The course Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Human Resource Operations Management (BSBA-HROM) is a course taken up by hundreds of students in Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM). PLM is known for its quality education and high standards. Applicants are screened and went to several tests and interviews before being accepted. In this university, each student is required to have a general average of 2.25 at the end of every semester. Whoever fails to meet the required general average, might get kicked out of the university. As a concerned fellow student, the researcher observed that despite the high grade requirement, some students still have time to enter relationships. Along this thought the study about the effects of having relationships to the academic performance of selected students in BSBA-HROM has been conceived. Statement of then problem 1. What is the profile of the respondents in term of: a. Gender b. Age c. Year Level 2. What are the effects...
Words: 5639 - Pages: 23
