1

Social Studies
School Based Assessment

Topic: What is the impact of illiteracy on student’s

academic and behavioral performance at Mc Grath High
School?

CANDIDATE NAME: DERMAINE RUSSELL

SCHOOL: MC GRATH HIGH

CANDIDATE NUMBER:

DATE OF SUBMISSION: FEBRUARY 27, 2024

TERRITORY: JAMAICA
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Table of Contents

Title Pages

Introduction 3

Statement of the Problem 4

Reason for selecting an area of research 5

Method of investigation 6

Methodology 7

Questionnaire 8-12

Presentation of Data 13-19

Analysis of Data 20-21

Conclusion 22

Recommendation 23

Reflection 24

Bibliography 25
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Introduction

Overview

Illiteracy is a serious issue in any society and at the Mc Grath HighSchool the issue also

exists and it influences the behavior. In this research the researcher will attempt to find

the connection between illiteracy and the bad behavioural trends within the institution.

Statement of the Problem

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The impact of illiteracy on student’s academic and behavioural performance the Mc Grath

High School.
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Reason for Selecting Area of Research

Illiteracy is a major concern in any society. I chose this area as I would like to find out the

connections between illiteracy and the unwelcomed attitudes of the students of the

McGrath High. When I determine the connections I will be able to make recommendations

on how to remedy this problem.

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Method of Investigation

The researcher decided to use a questionnaire to gather the relevant information for

this research. This method will enable the researcher to assess the impact of

illiteracy on academic and behavioural performance at the Mc Grath High. These

methods will all generate data for the research in a relatively short time.
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Methodology

Sample:

The simple random method was utilized to generate the data for this research. During the

lunch break twenty five random students were approached and asked to take part in the

brief survey. They were assured that the research was confidential and that they should

not state their names.

Data Collection:

A questionnaire with twenty carefully coined questions was issued to the participants in

the survey. A combination of multiple choice, true or false an open ended questions formed

the questionnaire.

Limitation:

Students had the ability to give biased or false responses.

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Letter to the Respondents

Dear Respondents:

Good day! I am Dermaine Russell from grade 11. P r e s e n t l y I a m conducting

a study entitled “What is the impact of illiteracy on student’s academic and behavioral

performance at Mc Grath High School?”. I n t h i s r e g a r d , I a m a s k i n g f o r y o u r

p r e c i o u s t i m e , a n d e f f o r t t o a n s w e r a l l t h e questions in the questionnaire that

are important and helpful for the completion of the study.

Re st assured that all data gathered from you will be kept in the

h i gh e s t l evel of confidentiality. Your honest response will be a valuable contribution for

the success of the study and will be highly appreciated.

Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Respectfully Yours,

Dermaine Russell
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QUESTIONNAIRE

Instruction: Please read and answer all questions carefully. Choose the most appropriate

response by ticking in the boxes provided. Your response will be kept strictly confidential.

Do not write your name.

1) What is your Gender?

Male

Female

2) In what range does your age fall?

12-14 years

15-17 years

18 years and older

3) To what type of family do you belong?

Nuclear (Mother and father)

Single Parent

Sibling

Other ____________________________________________________
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4) In which community do you come from?

Treadways

Linstead

Spanish Town

Other

5) What do you think is the most outstanding reasons for illiteracy at the Mc Grath High

School?

Peer Pressure

Lack of parental Supervision

Learning disability

Lack of interest

Other reason _________________________________________________________________________________

6) How do feel about you performance at school?

Very good

Satisfied

Uncomfortable

Very uncomfortable
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7) Do you view school as a necessary institution in society or do you believe it is a waste

of valuable resources?

Yes it is a waste of resources

No school is very important

Please explain the reason for your answer above.

____________________________________________________________________________

8) Do you find it difficult to cope with school work?

Yes

No

Other ______________________________________________________________________

9) Did you know that being illiterate means that individual is not able to read?

Yes

No

10) In your opinion is it necessary to face the challenges of school now and enjoy a

better future later?

Yes

No

Please explain ______________________________________________________________________

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10) Do you notice any behavioural differences among your peers that do well at school

and those that do not do well?

Yes

No

Please explain the reason for your choice above

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

11) Please select any of the following issues that may affect students that are not doing

well in the future?

Low standard of living

Increase in juvenile delinquency

Low grades and failing exams

Other ______________________________________________________________________________

12) Who assists you at home with your school work?

Parents

Siblings

Friends

No help
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13) Can you find any inspiration to do well or continue doing well in school?

Yes

No

If yes, who or what inspires you? ___________________________________________________________

14) What can students do to promote literacy and academic excellence.

Study

Ask for help

Pay attention in class

Other ___________________________________________________________

15) What can school do to promote literacy and academic excellence?

Award Ceremonies

Student of the week

Form clubs such as reader’s club

Other ________________________________________________________________
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Family type of respondents

20%
10%

Nuclear
30% Sibling
Single Parent
Extended

40%

Fig 1: Pie Chart showing family type of respondents

Figure 1. shows the family type of respondents. 40 % were from a single parent family, 30%

were sibling family, 20% were extended and 10% were from nuclear families.
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Reasons for illiteracyn

70%
60% 65%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
10%
0%
85%
Peer Pressure
Learning Disability
Lack of Interest
Lack of parental
support

Fig 2: Reasons for illiteracy

Figure 4 shows the reasons for illiteracy. The majority of 65% was allotted to a general

lack of interest. 20% stated the cause in relation to a lack of parental support while 3%

and 2 % were allotted to peer pressure and learning disability respectively.

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Suggestion for the students to promite literacy

Pay attention in
class , 20%

Form Study Groups

50%

Ask for help, 20%

Get parental
support , 10%

Fig 3: Shows students responses to what they can do to promote their own literacy.

Figure 3 shows students’ responses on actions that can be taken to improve their own

literacy. 50% of respondents said they could form study groups. 20% said students should pay

attention more in class. 20% said they could ask for help while 10% said they could get

parental support.
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ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Illiteracy and bad behavioural practices are in most cases strongly linked, There is an

exception of students that are brilliant that are a menace to the schools system, such

students, based on the research are rebellious because of negative family matters and or

peer pressure.

There was a higher percentage of students with a bad behavior among the cohort which did

not have a stable support.

The factor of having a learning disability was not prominent among respondents as

students that pass and are placed at the Mc Grath high are academically capable of doing

their work.

The respondents stated many ideas that they believed would encourage literacy at the

McGrath High. 50% of respondents suggested that the school offer scholarships to

encourage literacy and high performance at school. 20% suggested forming clubs such as

reading and subject clubs. 17% suggested electing students of the week and 13% suggested
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award ceremonies. Students from single parent and sibling families have a probability of

delinquency and bad behavior that those of a nuclear and extended family.

. There was a minute concern for learning disability at this Students expressed vital ideas

that would promote learning in the institution such as studying more, asking for help and

paying more attention in class.

Illiteracy can be reduced with deliberate intervention and corporation among

students, parents, teachers and other members of society.

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Recommendations

As a result of the research conducted I recommend the following in a direct attempt to

eradicating the effects of highly illiteracy and behavioural issues at the Mc Grath High:

 A readers club be enacted

 There be a student of the week award in each class.

 Students should form study groups and encourage each other.

 Students should go on a challenging life work experience to value the worth of

education.
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Reflection

Illiteracy is a serious issue at the Mc Grath High as it is in any area of society. Many students

do not value the effectiveness of having a good education or perhaps they are not aware of

it. Students do realize the possible outcomes of not being literate such as having a low

standard of living. Students with both parental support do m]better than their counterpart.

I will apply the lesson learnt to my own choices I will focus more on my work as it

increases the success rate of my future.

My project could be improved by incorporating an interview with a member of the police

for in an attempt to assess the reason for incarceration.

If the problem outlined is not rectified it could result in students in many student becoming

a menace to society.
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Bibliography

https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr2=p%3ads%2cv%3aomn%2cm%3asa%2cbrws%3achrome%2cpos
%3a2&fr=mcafee&type=E210US739G0&p=illiteracy+definition

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AxdUEEbl9yc2x0AzAEbl9zdWdnAzQEb3JpZ2luA3NlYXJjaC55YWhvby5jb20Ec
G9zAzAEcHFzdHIDBHBxc3RybAMwBHFzdHJsAzI3BHF1ZXJ5A2lsbGl0ZXJhY3
klMjBhbmQlMjBkZWxpbnF1ZW5jeSUyMAR0X3N0bXADMTcwOTAwMTU2NA
-- ?p=illiteracy+and+delinquency+&fr=mcafee&type=E210US739G0&fr2=sb-
top&iscqry

https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&type=E210US739G0&p=https
%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.govilliteracy+and+incarceration