scholarly journals Academic Achievement in Spanish Secondary School Students: The Inter-Related Role of Executive Functions, Physical Activity and Gender

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1816
Author(s):  
Elena Escolano-Pérez ◽  
Marta Bestué
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
School Students ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Academic Year

There is a growing interest in determining which variables contribute to students’ academic performance, since this performance is associated with their wellbeing and with the progress of the nation. This study analyzed whether different variables (executive functions and physical activity levels, gender and academic year) of 177 Spanish Compulsory Secondary School students contributed to their academic performance. The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function 2 (BRIEF-2), Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A) and an ad hoc questionnaire were used to determine the students’ executive functioning, physical activity level, gender and academic year, respectively. Students’ grades were considered to be indicators of their academic achievement. Seven multiple linear regression models were constructed using the R computing language to examine the association between academic achievement (considered in each of the 5 subjects: Language, Mathematics, Geography and History, English and Physical Education; the mean of the instrumental subjects—Language and Mathematics—and the mean of all the subjects) and the independent variables. The results indicated that executive functions, physical activity and gender contributed to academic performance, but academic year did not. This suggests that students with good executive functions, who perform physical activity and are female, would have better academic achievement. This information should be considered when designing interventions to improve student academic achievement.

scholarly journals EFFECTIVENESS OF SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (35) ◽  
pp. 58-64
Author(s):  
Lucy Gachenia ◽  
Margaret Mwenje
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
School Counseling ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Counseling Services ◽  
Counseling Program ◽  
School Students ◽  
Counseling Programs

The school counseling program is meant to assist students to deal with psycho-social and behavioral challenges, which normally affect their academic performance. In order to achieve this goal, the Kenyan government has previously committed resources towards establishing counseling programs in schools. The aim of this study was to establish how effective these counseling programs are in assisting secondary school learners in Kiambu County to achieve academically. Primary data was derived from 80 high school adolescents, 8 counselors, and 8 academic Dean of Students who were purposively sampled from 8 schools that were randomly selected. The study was qualitatively done, and self-determination theory was used to guide the study. Data were analyzed for the identification of counseling program characteristics and student improvement indices. These were presented in tables, charts, frequencies, and percentages based on the responses from the respondents. Further, a correlation between the two variables of the study was examined. Findings depicted that 65.7% of the students sampled said that counseling services offered at school satisfied their needs, 74.3% reported an improvement in their academic performance as a result of those counseling services and 87% felt more positive about school life after receiving counseling services. The study concluded that comprehensive counseling programs improved academic performance among high school students. The study intended to inform education planners, principals, and administrators on the role counseling would play in enhancing academic achievement among secondary school students.

scholarly journals Análisis de la condición física, tipo de actividad física realizada y rendimiento académico en estudiantes de educación secundaria (Analysis of physical fitness, type of physical activity and academic performance in secondary school students)

Retos ◽  
2016 ◽  
pp. 64-69
Author(s):  
Pablo Valdes ◽  
Javier Yanci Irigoyen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Arithmetic Mean ◽  
School Students ◽  
Fitness Tests ◽  
Academic Records ◽  
Physical Tests

El objetivo principal de este estudio fue analizar las diferencias en la condición física, los hábitos de práctica de actividad física y el expediente académico de alumnos/as de 4º curso de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria en función del sexo y del tipo de actividad física practicada. En esta investigación participaron 156 alumnos/as (15.34 ± .58 años, 1.69 ± .09 cm, 58.97 ± 9.36 kg, 20.51 ± 2.10 kg/m2), 79 de sexo masculino (MASC) y 77 de sexo femenino (FEM). La condición física de los participantes se evaluó a partir de una batería de test físicos. La tipología de la AF fue analizada a través de las respuestas a distintos cuestionarios sobre los hábitos de práctica de actividad física en adolescentes (Enkid, Fitnessgram, Pace o el PAQ-A). El rendimiento académico (RA) se valoró mediante la media aritmética de las calificaciones del expediente académico de los alumnos/as desde su entrada al instituto. Los resultados obtenidos en nuestro estudio muestran que las chicas y los alumnos/as que practican actividad física extraescolar no competitiva (AF-NoCOMP) obtienen peores niveles (p < .05) de condición física en todas las cualidades excepto flexibilidad, pero mayores niveles de RA que los alumnos/as que practicaban AF competitiva (AF-COMP). Por el contrario, los chicos y los alumnos/as que practican AFCOMP tenían mejor condición física pero un menor RA. En conclusión, se observa de forma general que los chicos y los alumnos/as que realizan actividad física de carácter competitivo realizan una mayor frecuencia de AF por la tarde, obtienen mejores resultados en los test de condición física, pero sus niveles de RA son menores. Abstract.  The aim of this study is to analyse the differences between physical fitness, the practise of physical activity (PA) and the academic performance (AP) of students of 4th grade of Secondary School. These differences are analysed as a function of gender and PA. 156 students took part in this study (15.34 ± .58 age, 1.69 ± .09 cm, 58.97 ± 9.36 kg, 20.51 ± 2.10 kg/m2), 56 male and 77 female. The participants’ physical fitness was evaluated by means of physical tests. PA was analyzed using different questionnaires (Enkid, Fitnessgram, Pace, or PAQ-A) assessing the teenagers’ physical activity habits. AP was evaluated using the arithmetic mean from the students’ high school academic records. The results of this study showed that girls and students who practise non-competitive PA have worse levels (p < .05) of physical fitness in every component analysed except flexibility, but their AP is higher. On the other hand, boys and students who practise competitive PA have better physical fitness and worse AP. To sum up, boys and students who participate in competitive PA show generally a higher frequency of PA practice during the afternoon. Furthermore, they obtain better results in physical fitness tests, even though their AP is worse.

Learning Strategies of Secondary School Students as Correlates of Academic Achievement and Gender

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Harjit Kaur Gill
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Low Achievers ◽  
Motivational Strategies ◽  
School Students ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Relationship

The objectives of the study were: (i) to study the learning strategies of Secondary school students, (ii) to study gender differences in the learning strategies of secondary school students (iii) to study the relationship between learning strategies and academic achievement of secondary school students.1200 secondary school students of Punjab were administered Motivational Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (Pintrich et al, 1991) The results show that significant differences have not been found between high and low achievers as well as between male and female school students on the rehearsal, elaboration, organization, critical thinking and meta-cognitive of self-regulation of learning strategies. Even the interaction effect of gender and academic achievement was not found significant on these dimensions except the last one i.e. meta-cognitive self-regulation dimension.

Relationships Between Negative Affect and Academic Achievement Among Secondary School Students: The Mediating Effects of Habituated Exercise

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1012-1019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hairul A. Hashim ◽  
Golok Freddy ◽  
Ali Rosmatunisah
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
School Students ◽  
Exercise Habit

Background:The current study was undertaken to examine the associations between self-determination, exercise habit, anxiety, depression, stress, and academic achievement among adolescents aged 13 and 14 years in eastern Malaysia.Methods:The sample consisted of 750 secondary school students (mean age = 13.4 years, SD = 0.49). Participants completed self-report measures of exercise behavioral regulation, negative affect, and exercise habit strength. Midyear exam results were used as an indicator of academic performance. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.Results:The results of structural equation modeling revealed a close model fit for the hypothesized model, which indicates that higher levels of self-determination were positively associated with habituated exercise behavior. In turn, exercise habit strength fostered academic achievement and buffered the debilitative effect of stress, depression, and anxiety on student academic performance. The analysis of model invariance revealed a nonsignificant difference between male and female subjects.Conclusion:The findings support the notion that habituated exercise fosters academic performance. In addition, we found that habituated exercise buffers the combined effects of stress, anxiety and depression on academic performance. The finding also supports the roles of self-determination in promoting exercise habituation.

scholarly journals Playing traditional games vs. free-play during physical education lesson to improve physical activity: a comparison study

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 178-187
Author(s):  
'Arif B. Azlan ◽  
Nadzirah Ismail ◽  
Nor Farah Mohamad Fauzi ◽  
Ruzita Abd. Talib
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Total Activity ◽  
Free Play ◽  
School Students ◽  
Activity Count ◽  
The Mean

Background and Study Aim. Non-sport activities like traditional games can be a practical way to promote physical activity (PA) during physical education (PE) lessons, especially among those who are less inclined towards sports. The purpose of this study is to compare the PA variables and acceptance between playing traditional games and free-play during physical education lessons among secondary school students. Material and Methods. Fifty-six (n = 56) subjects participated in this study wore accelerometers for a total of 40 minutes during each PE lesson to record PA. In the first week, a 40-min free-play PE lesson was done while in the second week, a 40-min PE lesson incorporated with traditional games (TG-PE lesson) was done. After following both lessons, subjects filled up a questionnaire on acceptance of TG-PE and free-play PE lessons. Results. The mean total activity count (p < 0.05) and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (p < 0.05) were 20% and 19% greater respectively during TG-PE lesson compared to free-play PE lesson. The mean acceptance scores showed students preferred playing TG (19.29 ± 4.21; p < 0.00) over free-play PE lesson (17.59 ± 3.13). Conclusions. In conclusion, incorporating fun and meaningful activities such as TG during PE lessons can serve as an alternative strategy to promote PA during school hours. Further studies are warranted to determine other types of TG that may promote PA among secondary school students.

scholarly journals Strategies to Improve Academic Achievement in Secondary School Students: Perspectives on Grit and Mindset

SAGE Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 215824401774511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Polirstok
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Growth Mindset ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
School Students ◽  
Detailed Review ◽  
Academic Challenges

This article examines the academic performance of secondary school students from the perspectives of grit and mindset through a detailed review of the literature. What makes a learner resilient? Persistent? Willing to take on academic challenges? The research on grit and mindset provides an understanding of why many secondary students struggle academically. Whereas Duckworth discusses persistence and resilience, Dweck compares fixed versus growth mindsets, the willingness to take on academic challenges and belief in oneself as a learner. Teaching strategies and materials that can help students increase persistence and build a growth mindset are presented as keys to successfully affecting academic performance.

scholarly journals Examining Associations Between Physical Activity and Academic Performance in a Large Sample of Ontario Students: The Role of Inattention and Hyperactivity

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 1231-1239
Author(s):  
Michelle Ogrodnik ◽  
Jillian Halladay ◽  
Barbara Fenesi ◽  
Jennifer Heisz ◽  
Katholiki Georgiades
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Optimal Dose ◽  
School Students ◽  
Inattention And Hyperactivity

Background: Participation in physical activity (PA) is a modifiable factor that contributes to academic success, yet the optimal dose (ie, frequency) and mechanisms underlying the effect require further exploration. Methods: Using data from 19,886 elementary and 11,238 secondary school students across Ontario, Canada, this study examined associations between PA participation frequency, academic achievement, and inattention and hyperactivity. Results: Among elementary students, there was a positive association between PA frequency and academic achievement. Participating in 1 to 2 days per week of PA related to higher academic achievement compared with no days, whereas 7 days per week had the largest associations. For secondary students, a minimum of 3 to 4 days per week was associated with higher academic achievement with no significant benefit of additional days. Indirect effects of inattention and hyperactivity were found for both groups, suggesting that the benefits of PA on academic achievement may be partly explained by reductions in inattention and hyperactivity, especially for secondary school students. Conclusion: Students may experience academic benefits from PA even if they are not meeting the guidelines of exercising daily. These benefits may occur, in part, through reductions in inattention and hyperactivity. Further work is needed to determine the temporality and mechanism of these associations.

scholarly journals A Cross-Sectional Examination of the Association Between Co-ed and Gender-Specific School Intramural Programs and Intramural Participation Among a Sample of Canadian Secondary School Students

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian Williams ◽  
Kathleen E Burns ◽  
Kate Battista ◽  
Margaret de Groh ◽  
Ying Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Student Participation ◽  
Female Students ◽  
School Students ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Gender Specific

Abstract Background Intramurals are an important part of the physical activity offerings in secondary schools; however, it is not well understood how co-ed and gender-specific intramural programs impact intramural participation among male and female students. Therefore, the objective of this research was to examine if the number of co-ed, male-only, and female-only intramurals offered at a school was associated with student participation in intramurals. Methods A large sample of Canadian secondary school students (N=60,635) completed the COMPASS survey in 2017-2018. School staff reported the number of co-ed, male-only, and female-only intramurals offered at each school. Students reported whether they participated in school intramurals. Hierarchical models were used to assess associations. Results Intramural participation was marginally higher among male students (36%) than female students (32%; p<.0001). Female students attending schools that offered female-only intramurals were 17% (OR 1.17 [95% CI: 1.05-1.30]) more likely to participate. The number of co-ed and male-only intramurals offered were not significantly associated with student participation. Conclusions We found a positive association between offering female-only intramurals and female intramural participation, highlighting the importance of these programs for female students. Offering female-only intramurals may be a way for schools to improve participation and physical activity levels of female students. More research is needed on the impact of specific sports or activities on male and female student participation.

scholarly journals CHALLENGES COUNSELORS FACE IN EFFECTING SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (38) ◽  
pp. 24-34
Author(s):  
Lucy Gachenia ◽  
Margaret Mwenje
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
School Counseling ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
School Administration ◽  
School Students ◽  
Counseling Programs ◽  
Professional Challenges ◽  
School Counseling Programs

School counseling is intended to help students overcome problems, which usually mitigate their academic performance in schools. Helping students adjust emotionally, physically, mentally, and socially enhances good academic performance. In achieving this goal of counseling especially in schools, the government has previously committed resources towards establishing counseling programs in schools. However, the reality on the ground is that there are few established counseling programs as well as few counselors to implement the said programs and this has posed a challenge to the counsellors in their effort to offer counseling to assist students to enhance their academic achievement. The aim of the study was to establish the challenges counselors face in affecting school counseling programs for academic achievement of secondary school students in Kiambu County. The objective of the study was to find out if counsellors faced challenges while offering to counsel for academic achievement. To achieve this objective the study used primary data collected from a sample of 80 secondary school-age going students from 8 schools, 8 counselors, and 8 academic deans of students from the sampled schools. The study was qualitatively done and self-determination theory was used to guide the study. Findings indicated that counselors encountered personal and professional challenges in the course of their counseling duties. For personal challenges, all counsellors (100%) reported having a difficult time balancing between teaching and counseling, all counselors (100%) noted they had insufficient time for counseling since little time was set aside in the school programs for counseling, (63%) said they had no specific rooms dedicated for counseling students, (63%) felt that the big number of students seeking counseling was a challenge while 100% stated dual relationship as a tough challenge. In regard to professional challenges, (100%) of the counsellors stated that none was compensated for extra counseling duties, (75%) had insufficient skills in academic counseling, (50%) had little support from subject teachers and from parents, 100% indicated little support from school administrators, 100% cited increased workload, 100%, lack of formal recognition from Teachers Service Commission that employs teachers and 50% felt that counselors inclusivity in school discipline committee posed a challenge. The study concluded that school counseling programs are commendable because they increase students’ academic achievement. However the study has established that school counselors should be equipped with appropriate counseling skills, their workload should be reduced and that school administration should encourage greater cooperation between teacher counselors and other members of staff as well as with parents and guardians, in order to make the counselors effort more productive. Further studies should be conducted to investigate how the school administration can be actively involved in supporting counseling programs in schools.

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