Impact of Group Counseling on Transfer Student’s Grade Point Average and Attendance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if group counseling would have an impact on transfer students’ grade point average and attendance rates. A literature review is presented, which discusses the reasons for student mobility and the challenges mobile students face. Various types of transition programs, along with their strengths and weaknesses, and the role of the school counselor are defined. For this study, 4 students volunteered to participate in a 4 week group counseling program, all of whom transferred into the high school during the 2012-2013 school year. Each participant’s GPA and number of absences were collected before the start of the group and again at the conclusion of the third quarter to measure any changes. Results are discussed, as well as the implications this study may have on future school counselors and future studies related to transition programs