Middle School to High School Transition
The article examines the problem of students who transition from middle to high school. Specific problems these students experience relate mostly to academic and disciplinary matters: there is an increase in disciplinary actions such as detention, while there is a general decrease in quality of academic performance. This concurs with the indication that students that transition to high school are concerned more with the social changes and opportunities involved than with the academic rigors of high school. A further factor is the fear and anxiety experienced by students entering high school for the first time. This, in combination with the social issues mentioned, causes the problems associated with the transition, including a lack of interest in academic performance and an increased dropout rate.
The article addresses a very important aspect of education. The fact that there is a decrease in academic performance as well as an increase in the dropout rate demonstrates the importance of examining and mitigating the problems related to this issue. Indeed, if students are not encouraged to perform better during these years, they may be lost not only to academics for the rest of their lives, but also to opportunities that they could have created for themselves in the future. They would also be unable to contribute to the manpower and output of the country as a whole. It is therefore not only a losing situation for students and schools, but also for the country as a whole.
In terms of implementation, the article appears to make some very useful suggestions. Particularly important in this regard is that all parties involved should liaise with each other. Students who transition should be in continuous communication not only with their current teachers, but also with their parents, high school teachers, and students at high schools. Communication is vitally important if these students are to understand the importance of maintaining not only their social connections, but also their academic performance.
