Factors That Impact Transition From Middle School To High School PDF Download

This graduate project presents a handbook derived from reviewing literature that students, parents and school counselors can use to ease the transition for middle school Latino students into high school. This handbook or guide describes the social, emotional and academic challenges that research has shown to affect Latino students, and provides a culturally relevant preparation program. This handbook can be implemented step by step in the final year of middle school, with school counselor and parent involvement, and will continue into the first few years of high school. Along with transitioning issues such as self-esteem, making and keeping friends (Akos & Galassi, 2004), setting goals, successfully completing courses, and college and career planning, research shows that Latino students have issues of family obligations and expectations particular to them (McGoldrick, Giordano, & Garcia-Preto, 2005). Latino cultural concerns, language barriers and socio-economic factors facing Latino students, and affecting their successful transition from middle school to high school are also included in this handbook. It also provides interventions that are school-based as well as techniques that parents can use at home to support and encourage the successful transition of their child into high school. The variety of strategies included in this handbook consider Bandura's (1989) theory suggesting that behaviors are learned through observing and imitating models, and Vygotsky's (1978) theory that stresses the active engagement of the social and physical environments in promoting cognitive growth. The methods described in this handbook involve the use of peer social support groups, parental support, school counselor academic guidance, and career exploration resources. Further, strategies to facilitate the development of a road map are included, which are intended to support a healthy self-image as well as academic success. Student achievement is promoted and encouraged throughout this handbook with guidelines aimed at assisting students in setting realistic goals and articulating a sound plan to achieve them. Within the steps outlined in the handbook, there is opportunity for periodic student and parent checkpoints where students and parents can reflect on the effectiveness of each step after the completion of each step and prior to advancing to the next step. School counselors at the middle school and high school levels can utilize these student and parent reflections to mentor the student while assisting students to plan an appropriate path aimed at easing the transition from middle school to high school and ultimately leading to success in high school.