Academic Self-Concept During the Transition to Upper Secondary School

We examined the BFLPE in the context of math self-concept (MSC) in N = 1,330 students during the transition from lower secondary (10th grade) to upper secondary school (12th grade) in Germany using longitudinal, large-scale data. We focused on contrast and assimilation effects as well as on the longitudinal persistence of the BFLPE from lower to upper secondary school. The BFLPE occurred at both measurement points, and there was an assimilation effect of the enrollment in advanced courses in 12th grade. The BFLPE from 10th grade did not persist into 12th grade, indicating that the BFLPE does not persist through contextual changes. Instead, information about the current frame of reference (i.e., average course achievement and course level) seems to overwrite context effects from previous learning environments, even if this change occurs within schools as constant macro-contexts.
Source: Contemporary Educational Psychology - Category: Child Development Source Type: research