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Attending the 'best' high school may yield benefits and risks for students

A recent study found that attending socioeconomically advantaged high schools tends to lead to higher educational attainment, income, and occupational prestige, while attending high-achievement schools can harm students' career prospects. Researchers hope to identify teacher-related factors that can buffer against these negative effects.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateOct 17, 2018

Challenging the conventional wisdom on calculus

A Harvard University study of over 6,000 college freshmen found that students who mastered algebra, geometry, and trigonometry had twice the impact on college calculus success as those who took calculus in high school. Weaker math students who took calculus in high school actually benefited the most from the class.

SourceHarvard University·JournalJournal for Research in Mathematics Education·DateJul 10, 2018

Web-based program may help address underage drinking

A new study found that a brief, web-based program is effective in delaying drinking initiation among female ninth-grade students. The program was more effective than traditional education when combined with personalized feedback.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of Addictions & Offender Counseling·DateApr 5, 2018

Making a leap from high-ability high school to college of lesser academic status can be a real downer

Undermatching students from high school to college show significant depression symptoms, highlighting the impact of school ability transitions on mental well-being. Researchers found that downward transitions are linked to depression at levels similar to background factors, suggesting a need for counselors to consider school environmen...

SourceBaylor University·JournalYouth & Society·DateMar 29, 2018

Study links responsible behavior in high school to life success 50 years later

A new study by University of Illinois researchers found that students who behaved responsibly in high school, showed interest, and had good writing skills tend to earn higher incomes and have higher occupational prestige 50 years later. Education was the factor mediating this relationship.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Personality and Social Psychology·DateFeb 26, 2018

Researchers develop new model to predict which universities student athletes will attend

Researchers developed a new model to predict university commitment from high school athletes' Twitter interactions, providing insights into recruitment efforts. The study found that interacting with a university on Twitter increases the odds of attending by 85%, while following coaches or fellow recruits boosts likelihood by 47-62%.

Study links child abuse, high school dropout

A new study by Duke University researchers found that child abuse and violence are associated with higher high school dropout rates, particularly among girls who experienced childhood violence. The study suggests that policies aimed at reducing violence against children may also help lower the national dropout rate.

SourceDuke University·JournalReview of Behavioral Economics·DateDec 1, 2017

How to predict high school dropouts

Researchers from Lancaster University found that teenagers who do not access healthcare when needed are at greater risk of dropping out of high school. More than one in five young people globally experience this issue, leading to increased unemployment, poor health, and crime.

SourceLancaster University·JournalJournal of Economic Psychology·DateOct 24, 2017

Attending a middle vs. a K-8 school matters for student outcomes

A new study by NYU Steinhardt School found that attending a middle school compared to a K-8 school negatively impacts certain measures of students' beliefs about their academic abilities, particularly in reading skills. The researchers suggest strengthening middle schools by focusing on the instructional and social environment, teacher...

SourceNew York University·JournalThe Journal of Early Adolescence·DateOct 16, 2017

Study suggests link between youth football & later-life emotional, behavioral impairment

A new study found an association between youth tackle football before age 12 and impaired mood and behavior later in life. The study, published in Nature's Translational Psychiatry, showed that participants who started playing at a younger age had twice the risk of behavioral regulation problems and three times the risk of depression.

SourceBoston University School of Medicine·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateSep 19, 2017

Close friendships in high school predict improvements in mental health in young adulthood

A new longitudinal study suggests that high-quality friendships during adolescence can predict better mental health outcomes in young adulthood. Teens with stronger close friendships tend to experience lower social anxiety and increased self-worth, while those who are popular in high school may be more prone to social anxiety later on.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateAug 22, 2017

LGB-focused resources help stressed teens cope

A new study by University of Arizona researcher Russell Toomey found that LGB-specific strategies promote health and reduced likelihood of dropping out of high school. Cognitive and alternative-seeking strategies were associated with poorer adjustment, depressive symptoms, and lower self-esteem.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalJournal of Homosexuality·DateMay 15, 2017

Student and school variables can predict high school dropout, study finds

A Georgia State University study found that high school dropout rates are influenced by both student-level and school-level factors. Socioeconomic status plays a significant role in determining dropout rates, regardless of race or ethnicity. Schools can make a difference by offering extracurricular activities and limiting retention pol...

SourceGeorgia State University·JournalSchool Psychology Quarterly·DateApr 10, 2017