Current theoretical and operational definitions of underachievement require that students show sustained suppressed academic achievement. Yet, early detection may allow for effective intervention before underachievement becomes a chronic issue. While existing identification procedures were not designed to detect underachievement before low…

The Achievement Orientation Model posits students are motivated to do well in school when they believe they have the necessary skills to perform a task (self-efficacy), find the task meaningful (goal valuation), and see their environment as supportive. When these factors are present, students self-regulate and achieve. We examined these factors…

Positive school experiences are an important predictor of long-term health and well-being. Developing positive relationships with school personnel and positive academic expectations set the foundation for success. Positive relationships and expectations can be a powerful protective factor or intervention to redirect troubled children toward a more…

Current procedures for diagnosing perceptual and language deficits in academic underachievement have resulted in a categorical expression--learning disabilities. The contention is offered that learning disabilities so ascertained not constitute a diagnosable entity. Two features are described that could become central in a diagnosable entity…

Applied two methods for determining severe discrepancies between ability and achievement to K-12 students (n=344) to determine how a change in method might influence rates and characteristics of students meeting this criterion. Results indicate an increase when a regression method is used over a simple difference score method, but a 20% decrease…

This study examined the impact of affective education on elementary school underachievers who were referred by their teachers for behavior problems or randomly selected for treatment. The experimental subjects showed a greater increase in reading skills, and were more warmhearted, emotionally stable, venturesome, and vigorous after the group…

To investigate the relationship between achievement and intelligence quotient (IQ) in the learning-disabled (LD) population, changes in IQ scores of 49 LD students from early elementary grades to high school grades were correlated with variety of achievement scores. Results suggest that underachievement of LD students plays a predominant causal…

Achievers had significantly higher self-concepts than underachievers on the intellectual and school status subscale. Achievers had significantly higher internal locus of control scores than underachievers for the Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Questionnaire's total score and positive score. No sex differences were revealed. (Author)

Investigates the effects of a helplessness experience on the subsequent performance of deaf adolescents functioning at mildly underachieving or severely underachieving levels. Results indicate high post-test error scores among severely underachieving deaf adolescents experiencing an unsolvable pretreatment situation. Recommendations offer…

Children (N=101) from fourth, fifth, and sixth grade were assigned to a social skills training program or control condition. Subpopulations of subjects were identified. Results indicated underachievers improved social relationships, disruptive children increased academic skills, and exceptional children increased significantly in both areas.…

In this study, the role of need for cognition, achievement motivation, and conscientiousness on academic underachievement was investigated. Forty-seven male and 46 female students in Grades 7 to 10 participated in the study. Student attributes were assessed by self-report measures, school performance by academic grades, and intellectual abilities…

Describes a counseling program which attempts to deal with child underachievement (in school) through the use of time-limited parent counseling groups, involving school psychologists as well as a community mental health agency. (Author)

An ecological-systems view is presented describing academic underachievement in highly verbal, gifted adolescents. It is argued that a unique pattern of interests, motives, and cognitive styles results in a differential pattern of achievement for these youth. Implications for psychoeducational assessment, pedagogy, and counseling are discussed.…

The use of regression equations to predict the expected achievement levels of five- and six-year-old children on the Wide Range Achievement Test are discussed. Problems are found in identifying underachievement for children in the lower primary grades. Implications for the early identification of specific learning disabilities are described.…

Disruptive behavior patterns are particularly challenging for parents, teachers, and peers as these behaviors often interfere with classroom instruction, frequently lead to academic underachievement, and are associated with social skills acquisition and performance deficits. Children who exhibit a combination of…