Success in school is a critical component of the ability to participate fully in contemporary society. Previous research indicates that early adolescence is critical because it initials a developmental period when youth, particularly girls, can show marked declines in school achievement.
The results indicate that the late elementary school years are, by and large, a positive experience for youth. Children, aged 10 and 11, are achieving in school, feel good about themselves, have positive attitudes to school, and believe that their parents and teachers support their academic efforts. These findings are particularly true for the girls who scored higher than boys on almost all measures. The results also confirm the importance of attitudes, both personal and those of others, on school performance. Appropriate parental hopes and expectations, teacher support, as well as a positive attitude to school, all contribute to academic success. Finally, the results suggest that school achievement in the late elementary years is largely exempt from the deleterious effects of early pubertal development that have been noted for older youth, although some signs that such difficulties may be emerging were noted.
Public policy should focus on creating school environments which foster positive attitudes to school, as well as positive family attitudes and strong teacher support.
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