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Volume 4 Number 11 November 2018

Socio-Economic Empowerment of Senior Secondary Science Students in Nigeria and STEM Teachers' Preparedness


Authors: Rebecca U. Etiubon ; Anyanime O. Akpan ; Idongesit N. Udosen
Pages: 204-211
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/rje.411.204.211
Abstract
This study investigated socioeconomic empowerment of senior secondary science students in Nigeria and STEM Teachers’ Preparedness. A descriptive survey design was used. The study was conducted in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The population consisted of all 1,983 STEM teachers in the 234 public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the sample, 318 (125 males and 193 females). Three research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The instrument for data collection was a 26-item Questionnaire on Socioeconomic Empowerment of Students and STEM teachers’ preparedness developed by the researchers. The reliability of the instrument was established at .81 using Cronbach alpha coefficient. Research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while hypotheses were analysed and tested at .05 alpha level of significance using t-test.  Results showed that STEM teachers were not adequately prepared, lacked competencies and skills for socioeconomic empowerment of their students. Moreover, there is inadequate availability for practical and hands-on activities. Based on the findings, recommendations were made among which are the redesigning of the teacher education programme and training/retraining of STEM teachers to acquire necessary competencies and skills for socioeconomic empowerment of students.

A Comparison of Student Success Outcomes Related to the Non-Standardized and Standardized Texas Success Initiative


Authors: Robert S. Luckett ; Lori Kupczynski ; Marie-Anne Mundy ; Maria E. Martinez
Pages: 195-203
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/rje.411.195.203
Abstract
In 2015, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) adopted the 60x30TX plan to increase Higher Education (HE) access and completion for all state students. The target for this plan asserts that by 2030, at least 60 percent of Texans ages 25-34 will have a certificate or degree. Among the initiatives tied to the overall goal to raise HE inclusion rates, is the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) which was formally launched a few years earlier in 2013. The TSI lays out specific requirements for uniform placement testing standards for students entering community colleges to measure college-level preparedness. The purpose of this study was to determine if placement is affected by the instrument applicants use, specifically, the non-standardized or the standardized version of the Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSIA). Final grades of applicants placed into Freshman Composition (ENGL 1301), instead of Developmental Education (DE), served as the measure of student success appropriate for this study. The study sample was selected from two large urban community colleges in Texas. Within the parameters of this study, findings indicated that non-standardized and standardized placement tests have no effect on student success related to placement into ENGL 1301. These findings highlight the need for additional research surrounding the comparative impact between standardized and non-standardized testing, and the subsequent overall impact upon degree or certificate completion.

Lifestyle and Scholar Culture in University Students from Coahuila


Authors: Jesús Alberto García García ; Julio Cufarfán López ; Gabriela Morán Delgado
Pages: 187-194
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/rje.411.187.194
Abstract
The purpose of the present study is to analyze the differences between the lifestyle and the scholar culture from the university student’s perspective of five different schools. The results were obtained by a quantitative study, with a traversal design, open and observational, and they were derivate from a descriptive and comparative analysis with the ANOVA one factor test. The sample was took on a random way; the total of participants was of 890. The results showed that the principal characteristics from the university students´ lifestyle is exercise, sports practice, physical activity, health and unhealthy food ingest, alcohol consume, smoking and sedentary lifestyle. It was conclude that the university students have a Lifestyle that could be classify in three aspects, the first one, their free time (leisure), that is usually employ on social network and  frequent alcohol consume. The second lifestyle aspect is related with the scholar culture, in this sense, is associated with dedication and compromise with the academic activities of their school (doing homework, projects, expositions and extracurricular activities) and the last one, their alimentation, which is characterized by consuming two kinds of food, healthy and unhealthy (high caloric content food). The schools in the Autonomous University of Coahuila are systemically working on the development of new strategies of cultural promotion for the integral development of their students.

The Relationship Between Level of Students’ Participation in Games Programs and Academic Achievement in Rongo Sub-County Secondary Schools


Authors: Derrick Okinyi Deya
Pages: 180-186
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/rje.411.180.186
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to establish the relationship between the level of students’ participation in games programs and academic achievement in secondary schools in Rongo Sub-County. The study adopted descriptive survey and correlation designs. The sample size was as follows: 350 form four students participating in games, 175 boys and 175 girls which were 33% of the target population. Pearson Product moment Correlation was used to investigate relationship between students’ participation level and academic achievement. The Bonferroni Post Hoc Multiple Comparison Test is an analysis method that was used to establish multiple levels of participation to prove relationship with academic achievement. The study found out that there is a minimal positive relationship between students’ level of participation in games programs and academic achievement in secondary schools in Rongo Sub County. (t (350) r=0.260, p=0.453).

Self-Esteem and Academic Success of Secondary School Students in Calabar Metropolis of Cross River State, Nigeria and Counseling Interventions


Authors: Bassey Akaase B. ; Okpechi Philip A.
Pages: 175-179
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/rje.411.175.179
Abstract
The essence of this research was to investigate the influence of self-esteem on students’ academic success in Calabar metropolis of Cross River State of Nigeria. Two hypotheses were raised to guide the study. Literature review was carried out accordingly based on the variables of the study. The random sampling technique was adopted which sampled three hundred and forty-five (345) students who were drawn from fifteen secondary schools which represented all the public secondary schools in the area of study. The Self-Esteem and Academic success questionnaire (SEASO) and Achievement Test in mathematics and English Language (ATMEL) were used to collect data. The independent t-test analysis was used to test the hypotheses of the study. The findings showed that there is a significant difference in the academic success of students with positive self-esteem than those with negative self-esteem. This implies that self-esteem significantly influences students’ academic success. Based on findings of the study, it was recommended that students should boost their self-esteem as it is an important factor that strengthens the prediction of academic success in Mathematics and English Language. There should be school counseling intervention in improving self-esteem among students. Students should be trained on how to improve greatly in their self-esteem and academic efficacy.

Effect of Science Teachers’ Knowledge, Attitudes and Skills on Out-Door Instruction, At Selected Secondary Schools in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya


Authors: Stella Kabesa
Pages: 166-174
DOI: doi.org/10.32861/rje.411.166.174
Abstract
Outdoor learning usually refers to organized learning that takes place outside the confines of a classroom. This study aims to empirically examine the effects of teachers’ knowledge, attitude and skills on out-door instruction in Kenya. The study adapted a survey research design. A sample of 135 teachers was randomly obtained from a population of 318 teachers. The response rate was 77.59 per cent. Data was collected using both closed and open ended questionnaires. Data was analyzed by employing descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that teachers’ Knowledge, Attitude and Skills (KAS) are positively associated with out-of-classroom instruction in Kenya. The generalizability of the findings is limited as the study focused only in Kenya. Based on the findings, the study recommends that schools should focus on encouraging development of knowledge, attitude and skills in teachers thus promoting the use of out-door instruction in science. This study contributes to the theoretical and practical knowledge by providing the evidence about factors affecting science teaching. It is also expected to extend the knowledge on out-door learning.