Predictors of Academic Achievement at the End of Middle School: History of Repetition, Social Skills and Social Support

Abstract

The literature has shown that the socio-emotional development of students can be associated with their repertoire of social skills and perception of social support, while the school repetition experience seems to negatively infl uence their development and academic achievement at the end of Middle School. In this context, the present study aimed to test a prediction model for academic achievement, having social skills, perception of social support from family, teachers and peers and history of school repetition of students as independent variables. The participants were 311 at the end of Middle School (8 th and 9 th grade), from public schools in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The data were collectively obtained using the Social Skills Inventory for Adolescents and the Social Support Appraisal Scale. The experience of school repetition, social skills and perceived social support from teachers predicted the academic achievement of students. From these results, the importance of the resources of students and of their context is discussed. These can be used in the school through programs of prevention and promotion of good academic achievement with students, families and teachers.