The relationship between social engagement and academic engagement in a group of 3rd, 5th, and 7th grade students

Author(s)

Christine Marie Williams, Rowan University

Date Approved

5-9-2006

Embargo Period

4-7-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in School Psychology

Department

Educational Services and Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Dihoff, Roberta

Subject(s)

Education, Elementary--Research--New Jersey; Educational psychology--New Jersey

Disciplines

Educational Psychology

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate if there is a relationship between the social engagement and academic engagement of 3^rd, 5^th, and 7^th grade students. The secondary purpose of this study is to examine whether a student's grade level contributes to the strength of this relationship. Sixty-one (31 males and 30 females) 3^rd, 5^th, and 7^th grade students, between the ages of 8 and 13, participated in this study. They were recruited from both elementary and middle schools in a suburban New Jersey school district. Each student was observed for 15 minutes and the student's adaptive and maladaptive behaviors were recorded during this period to generate an academic engagement percentile score for the student. Then, the students completed The Friendship Features Scale to in order to establish a social engagement score for each student. The scores from each of these measures were analyzed using both Pearson correlations and tests of significance (One-way ANOVA). The results suggest that the positive correlation between academic and social engagement is stronger for males than it is for females. The researcher also found that 7^th grade students are significantly less engaged in academic activities than 3^rd or 5^th grade students.

Recommended Citation

Williams, Christine Marie, "The relationship between social engagement and academic engagement in a group of 3rd, 5th, and 7th grade students" (2006). Theses and Dissertations. 955.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/955