Academic Failure

SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT

School achievement refers to the progress a student makes in reaching the expected outcomes determined according to the school, grade, and course in which the student is enrolled.

THE CONCEPT OF FAILURE

Failure refers to a child or adolescent’s long-term and persistent performance below their developmental level and abilities in almost all subjects.

Children who experience failure are often labeled as “uninterested,” “unmotivated,” or “lazy.” However, it should be kept in mind that lack of motivation to study is not a cause but a result. Children who repeatedly experience academic failure due to various biological, psychological, and social factors begin to develop reluctance toward lessons and homework.

CAUSES OF ACADEMIC FAILURE

1 - INDIVIDUAL FACTORS

• Cognitive, physical, and emotional inadequacies
• Low or excessively high anxiety levels
• Lack of motivation
• Learning difficulties
• Low self-esteem
• Developmental stage characteristics
• Psychological disorders, etc.

2 - FAMILY-RELATED FACTORS

• Unrealistic expectations
• Negative role modeling by parents
• Unstable or conflictual home environment
• Negative attitudes toward school
• Inability to set boundaries for the child
• Lack of an appropriate study environment
• Authoritarian parenting styles, etc.

3 - SCHOOL-RELATED FACTORS

• Teaching methods not based on individual differences
• Failure to consider students’ individual characteristics
• Teachers’ lack of positive attitudes and behaviors

ROLES OF FAMILIES IN IMPROVING SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT

• Teach study habits
• Provide an appropriate study environment
• Allow the child to decide when to start homework and reward starting on time
• Sit with the child for the first five minutes or until homework is completed if necessary
• Help the child understand what is required in assignments
• Ensure adequate rest breaks
• Support school adaptation
• Talk with the child and provide calming solutions
• Emphasize that school is a safe place
• Focus on the child’s positive aspects
• Maintain a positive relationship with teachers
• Encourage reading habits
• Be a reading role model
• Organize family reading sessions
• Provide books that initially attract the child’s attention
• Allow book choice
• Encourage responsibility
• Assign age-appropriate tasks
• Build self-confidence
• Avoid treating the child as younger than their age
• Spend time together and encourage self-expression
• Express school achievements appropriately
• Encourage and support the child
• Discuss failures and motivate improvement
• Consider teachers’ recommendations
• Maintain a peaceful and loving family environment
• Provide joint parental support for schoolwork
• Check attention and concentration levels
• Avoid unrealistic expectations
• Guide abilities and support development
• Ensure sufficient rest on weekends and holidays
• Avoid comparing the child with peers
• Conduct regular evaluations about school progress
• Address problems early
• Allow breaks during study time
• Encourage sports and extracurricular activities

QUESTIONNAIRE ON CAUSES OF FAILURE

WHY AND WHEN SHOULD IT BE USED?

The questionnaire on causes of failure is used to identify factors contributing to students’ academic failure. It is recommended to be administered at the beginning of the academic term to facilitate planning guidance activities throughout the year aimed at resolving identified problems.

The questionnaire identifies whether academic failure is caused by school environment, teachers, peer relationships, family, or personal factors. It also provides general information about the failure causes within the class and school.

WHO CAN USE IT AND HOW?

It can be applied to all students in grades 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of primary education as well as secondary education levels. The classroom teacher distributes the questionnaire, reads the instructions, and ensures its completion.

HOW IS IT EVALUATED AND INTERPRETED?

After administration, frequency values are calculated for each item and converted into percentages. For example, if 25 out of 50 students mark the first item, it means 50% of the class reports family size as a factor affecting their academic performance.

Based on results, individual, class-level, and school-level causes of failure are identified and reported. Individual problems require counseling support from teachers or school counselors. Common class problems can be addressed through classroom discussions and group guidance activities. School-wide problems should be addressed collaboratively by administrators, teachers, parents, and counselors.

QUESTIONNAIRE ON CAUSES OF FAILURE

Name: ....................................................

Class: ....................................................

Date: ....../....../200....

INSTRUCTIONS:

This checklist has been prepared to identify the reasons for your low academic performance and to help you. Please tick the statements that apply to the reasons for your low grades and difficulties in studying.

I am unsuccessful in my subjects and my grades are low because:

( ) 1- My family is large.

( ) 2- My mother does not help me with my studies.

( ) 3- My father does not help me with my studies.

( ) 4- I do not have a separate study room.

( ) 5- I live away from my family.

( ) 6- I am treated differently from my siblings.

( ) 7- My father often beats me.

( ) 8- My family puts unnecessary pressure on my studying.

( ) 9- My family treats me like a small child.

( ) 10- My family is very authoritarian and does not allow me to act freely.

( ) 11- My family neglects me and does not show enough interest.

( ) 12- My siblings often argue, and this affects me.

( ) 13- There are frequent conflicts between my family and relatives, and this affects me.

( ) 14- I do not understand what my teacher explains.

( ) 15- I cannot focus my attention on lessons.

( ) 16- I learn in class but forget quickly.

( ) 17- I cannot apply what I have learned.

( ) 18- I do not understand what I read.

( ) 19- I cannot express what I know in writing; I get low marks in exams.

( ) 20- I cannot express what I know orally; I get low marks in oral exams.

( ) 21- I do not receive rewards when I succeed.

( ) 22- I am not interested in these subjects.

( ) 23- I do not get along well with my friends.

( ) 24- Our class is too crowded, so I cannot follow lessons properly.

( ) 25- I have not found a good friend.

( ) 26- The information in this course is not useful for me.

( ) 27- I cannot allocate enough time for studying.

( ) 28- I like playing games too much.

( ) 29- I have no time to study because of household responsibilities.

( ) 30- My health is not good.

( ) 31- I cannot find enough resources for research.

( ) 32- I do not know where to find resources.

( ) 33- My teachers give too much homework.

( ) 34- My homework is too difficult.

( ) 35- I cannot focus because I think about other things while studying.

( ) 36- I think I know the material but cannot answer exam questions.

( ) 37- My seat in class is not suitable for following lessons.

( ) 38- I do not receive enough attention from my teacher.

( ) 39- I do not like studying.

( ) 40- I cannot take good notes in class.

( ) 41- I do not have a study group of friends.

( ) 42- Our financial situation is poor and affects my studies.

( ) 43- I spend too much time socializing and having fun with friends.

( ) 44- My extracurricular sports or activities affect my studies.