The Effectiveness of Mandatory Group Counseling in Middle School on Decreasing Incidents of Violence and Increasing Student Academic Performance

Abstract

At the Northwest College Preparatory High School students are required to attend a group counseling period known as Advisory. It is purported that because of this group counseling the school will experience a decrease in violence and an increase in academic achievement. Using report card data, the passing rates by subject and by marking period were calculated. This study was conducted comparing the statistics for NWCP and John Marshall, the other school housed on the campus. The study shows a correlation between the mandatory counseling and a ten to fifteen percent greater passing rate by subject area and at the midway point in the school year.