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ERIC Number: ED563747
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 206
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-3035-7437-5
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Efficacy of a School-Wide Teambuilding Program for Increasing School Belonging Amongst Elementary Children
Street, Michelle R.
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Duquesne University
School belonging is a construct that describes student connections to school via a student's social and emotional attachments to others at school, commitment to adhering to school rules, involvement in school activities, and belief systems related to how much school is valued (Hirschi, 1969; Wehlage et al, 1989). Research has consistently found connections between higher levels of school belonging and more favorable life outcomes in regard to academics, behavior, attendance, school completion, and mental health. Research has also provided suggestions regarding components that should be present for programs to effectively enhance school belonging. Despite this, few research-based programs exist that have been designed specifically to address this construct. This study examined the efficacy of components of a new school-wide team-building program, titled Project: TEAM, for improving school belonging amongst elementary-age children following one school year of implementation. In addition, the study examined the differential effects of the program based on student grade level and gender. Pre- and post-intervention surveys of school belonging were collected from 137 students at an intervention (n = 82) and a comparison (n = 55) school in south-central Pennsylvania. The results of a repeated-measures ANOVA found no significant difference in school belonging between students at the intervention versus comparison school. Follow-up independent sample t-tests revealed that students at the comparison school reported significantly higher levels of school belonging than students at the intervention school at baseline but not on post-surveys. Thus, the components of Project: TEAM appeared to have assisted students at the intervention school with closing the gap in reported levels of school belonging that was identified on baseline surveys. Additional analyses indicated no significant difference in reports of school belonging based on grade level; however, male students did report significantly higher levels of school belonging than female students. Though most results in this study were not significant and effect sizes were small, the study provided preliminary evidence suggesting that the efficacy of Project: TEAM for improving school belonging should be examined further on a longitudinal basis. Implications of the findings, as well as limitations and recommendations for future research are considered. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Pennsylvania
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A