Students who go to schools that achieve better-than-expected academic results may be less likely to use drugs or alcohol, steal or fight.
Students who go to schools that achieve better-than-expected academic results may be less likely to use drugs or alcohol, steal or fight. Researchers found that students in schools that performed better than expected were less likely to use drugs and alcohol, steal or participate in fights than children in schools that did not perform as well.
Researchers examined whether schools achieving better than expected educational outcomes for their students influence the risk of drug use and delinquency among urban, racial/ethnic minority youth. They looked at academic achievement scores of inner-city middle schools in Chicago between 2002 and 2005. Academic achievement scores were based on standardized tests on reading and math, which public school students in all states are required to take. The researchers determined how well schools should perform based on each school's own socio-demographic factors and compared that to how well they actually fared. They then compared that information to achievement and attendance records and data collected about students' drug and alcohol use. Over 2600 adolescents enrolled in 61 Chicago public schools, completed surveys in 6th (aged 12) and 8th (aged 14) grades. All the schools in the study had high numbers of students from ethnic minorities and poor homes, factors that are often associated with lower achievement in school.
Seven schools did better than expected and the rates of drug and alcohol use and delinquency by students at those schools were as much as 25 percent lower compared to other schools.
The researchers refer to this link between a school's academic culture and students' healthy behaviors as "value-added education." Schools that do better have effects that are not solely academic, and it suggests that the whole culture of the school is important. The researchers hypothesize that it could be good teaching or better administration in these schools that distinguished them from the rest.
While the above study shows that academic achievement at school can benefit disadvantaged students' health and behaviour, the researchers warned that proposed funding cuts to educational programmes threaten such success stories.
Researchers examined whether schools achieving better than expected educational outcomes for their students influence the risk of drug use and delinquency among urban, racial/ethnic minority youth. They looked at academic achievement scores of inner-city middle schools in Chicago between 2002 and 2005. Academic achievement scores were based on standardized tests on reading and math, which public school students in all states are required to take. The researchers determined how well schools should perform based on each school's own socio-demographic factors and compared that to how well they actually fared. They then compared that information to achievement and attendance records and data collected about students' drug and alcohol use. Over 2600 adolescents enrolled in 61 Chicago public schools, completed surveys in 6th (aged 12) and 8th (aged 14) grades. All the schools in the study had high numbers of students from ethnic minorities and poor homes, factors that are often associated with lower achievement in school.
Seven schools did better than expected and the rates of drug and alcohol use and delinquency by students at those schools were as much as 25 percent lower compared to other schools.
The researchers refer to this link between a school's academic culture and students' healthy behaviors as "value-added education." Schools that do better have effects that are not solely academic, and it suggests that the whole culture of the school is important. The researchers hypothesize that it could be good teaching or better administration in these schools that distinguished them from the rest.
While the above study shows that academic achievement at school can benefit disadvantaged students' health and behaviour, the researchers warned that proposed funding cuts to educational programmes threaten such success stories.
DoctorNDTV is the one stop site for all your health needs providing the most credible health information, health news and tips with expert advice on healthy living, diet plans, informative videos etc. You can get the most relevant and accurate info you need about health problems like diabetes, cancer, pregnancy, HIV and AIDS, weight loss and many other lifestyle diseases. We have a panel of over 350 experts who help us develop content by giving their valuable inputs and bringing to us the latest in the world of healthcare.
