A study of the effect of parental group counseling on the academic achievement of grade eight underachieving students

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to determine the effect of a specific model of parental group counseling on the grade point average of underachievers. -- Actual determination of underachievers was made by using grade point averages for mid-term school examinations in English, Mathematics, French, Science, History, and Geography. The grade point averages were compared with scholastic aptitude as indicated from scores received on the Otis-Lennon Mental Abilities Test. The sample of 36 students was drawn from a total grade eight population of 149 and randomly assigned to each of the following four groups: Instructional Counseling Group, Subject Information Group, Sensitization Group, and Control Group. -- The program used in this study consisted of activities designed to teach skills that could be used by parents in the home to assist their child with homework and thereby enhance the scholastic achievement of their child. -- The June grade point averages were compared with the Mid-term grade point averages, using a univariate analysis of covariance. The analysis of covariance showed no significant differences between any of the groups in the study.