Sixth Grade Students' Adjustment to Middle School

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine one group of sixth grade students' attitudes and perceptions about the transition from elementary school to middle school. Data related to students' adjustment within the first three-quarters of the first year of middle school were also examined. 1birty-six students participated in this study. Data was collected in two phases with a survey using a Likert scale to obtain information regarding various concerns that students may encounter in the middle school. Results of this study indicated that there were a variety of concerns related to the transition to middle school. The results of this study revealed that being safe in middle school, receiving good grades, and having more homework were of the greatest concerns of the transitioning student. This study also revealed that students' adjustment to middle school had somewhat of a negative affect on their academic achievement during the first three quarters of middle school. Students' behavior also declined between the two phases of the survey. The amount of referrals and suspensions received by students increased between the two phases.