Addressing academic challenges: A quasi-experimental study on the effect of remedial exam strategy for nursing students with low academic performance.

Background: Universities are responsible for providing education and support to all students, including those who may be underachieving. To fulfill this responsibility, universities need effective strategies to help these students graduate successfully. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a midterm remedial exam strategy in improving the academic performance of nursing students. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed to conduct this research at a private college in Dammam, Saudi Arabia's eastern region. The study included 306 convenient bachelor nursing students who had failed their midterm exam. Of these, 103 students voluntarily participated in the remedial midterm exam (intervention group) to enhance their midterm scores, while 203 students did not take the remedial exam (control group). Data collection took place in the spring of 2022 by reviewing course files and student records, encompassing formative and summative evaluations across 14 courses. Data analysis involved using SPSS (2023) and Jamovi (version 2.3, 2022) software to conduct paired t-tests, Mann-Whitney, and correlational tests. Results: The remedial group demonstrated significant differences between their midterm and remedial exam scores. However, only 15.5% of students in the remedial group passed the exam, despite 68% showing improvement. Additionally, there were significant differences between the intervention and control groups in midterm and overall course scores. The control group outperformed the remedial group in the midterm, final exams, and overall course scores (p <0.05). Conclusion: Remedial exams can be beneficial for students who are close to passing but may not effectively support those who perform poorly. To address this, implementing a comprehensive remedial program or providing ongoing remedial activities throughout the course can offer better support for strongly underperforming students. Additionally, educational institutions can enhance students' motivation and performance by providing study skills classes and time-management workshops, equipping them with valuable tools for academic success.

Self-perceived anxiety symptoms in school students with borderline intellectual functioning: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Background and Objectives: Students with borderline intellectual functioning ("slow learners") underperform in all school subjects. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the self-perceived anxiety symptoms of slow learners. Its secondary objective was to analyze impact of sociodemographic variables on their symptoms. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional single-arm questionnaire-based study was conducted in the learning disability clinic of a public medical college in Mumbai. Subjects and Methods: One hundred slow learners aged ≥8 to <18 years were recruited by non-probability sampling. Their anxiety symptoms scores were measured using the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders-Child version (SCARED-C) instrument. Statistical Analysis: Multivariate regression analysis was performed for determining the "independent" impact that variables had on the SCARED-C ("individual subscales" and "overall") scores. Results: Symptoms of "separation anxiety" were present in 40%, followed by "social anxiety" in 32%, "generalized anxiety" in 31%, "panic" in 26%, "significant school avoidance" in 24%; and "overall anxiety" in 38% of slow learners. Multivariate analysis revealed that: (i) co-occurring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder was significantly associated with having panic symptoms (P = 0.040), and, (ii) studying in a Secondary School Certificate or Higher Secondary Certificate educational board-affiliated school was significantly associated with having symptoms of "generalized anxiety," "social anxiety," and "overall anxiety" (P = 0.009, P = 0.026, and P = 0.046, respectively). Conclusions: Many slow learners in our city have symptoms of anxiety disorders and overall anxiety. There is an urgent need to screen them for anxiety disorders to facilitate their optimum rehabilitation.

Economic burden of limited English proficiency: A prevalence-based cost of illness study of its direct, indirect, and intangible costs.

Aims: The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate the economic burden of limited English proficiency (LEP) by estimating its direct, indirect, and intangible costs. A secondary objective was to assess the impact of variables on the economic burden. Design and Setting: A cross-sectional single-arm descriptive study conducted in a learning disability clinic in a public medical college in Mumbai. Subjects and Methods: The study cases (aged ≥8 years and ≤18 years) were recruited by non-probability sampling. A structured questionnaire was used to interview the parent to collect data related to direct and indirect costs. Intangible cost data were collected by documenting the willingness-to-pay value using the contingent valuation technique. Statistical Analysis Used: A multivariate regression model was used to assess the impact of predictor variables on the costs. Results: The direct, indirect, and intangible costs due to LEP were Indian Rupees (INR) 826,736, 3,828,220, and 1,906,300, respectively. Indirect costs comprised 82.2% of the total costs. Expenditure on tuition and remedial education comprised 39.86% and 14.08% of the indirect and direct costs, respectively. The average annual learning disability clinic costs were INR 2,169,146. The average annual total costs per student were INR 42,102. Higher socioeconomic status was predictive of increased "indirect costs", "total costs", and "intangible costs." Conclusion: LEP is a cost-intensive condition (indirect > intangible > direct costs). Non-medical costs are the costliest component of direct costs. Parental loss of earnings is the costliest component of indirect costs.

Clustering e Switching nos testes de fluência verbal em crianças do ensino fundamental I com e sem dificuldade de aprendizagem / Clustering and Switching on verbal fluency tests in elementary school children with and without learning difficulties

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o desempenho nos testes de Fluência Verbal Semântica e Fonêmica em relação aos componentes cognitivos de clustering e switching e explorar as mudanças no desenvolvimento no ensino fundamental. Método Participaram 68 crianças do 2º ao 5º ano do ensino fundamental I de uma escola pública do município de Santo André, divididas em dois grupos, Dificuldade de Aprendizagem (DA) e Desenvolvimento Típico (DT). Resultados Os testes de Fluência Verbal foram comparados para o número de clusters, tamanho médio dos clusters e número de switches. Todas as variáveis comparadas mostraram uma pontuação estatisticamente significante maior para o teste de Fluência Verbal Semântica. Foram realizadas as médias e desvios-padrão das mesmas variáveis para efeito de ano e grupo em ambos os testes. Foi observada diferença estatisticamente significante apenas para o número total de clusters no teste de Fluência Verbal Semântica para efeito de grupo, com o melhor desempenho do grupo DT. Observou-se correlação alta no total de acertos em ambos os testes de Fluência Verbal com o número total de clusters e número de switches. Além disso, foi observada correlação entre o total de acertos com a média de tamanho dos clusters apenas no teste de Fluência Verbal Fonêmica. A análise de regressão linear apresentou maior variância para o número total de clusters, o tornando mais preditivo para o desempenho em ambos testes de Fluência Verbal. Conclusão Os testes de Fluência Verbal podem ser sensíveis e preditivos para a identificação de possíveis diferenças no desempenho escolar associados à leitura.

ABSTRACT Purpose Evaluate the performance in the Semantic and Phonemic Verbal Fluency tests in relation to the cognitive components of clustering and switching and explore the changes in development in elementary school. Methods Participants were 68 children from the 2nd to 5th grade of elementary school of a public school in the municipality of Santo André, divided into two groups, Learning Difficulty (LD) and Typical Development (TD). Results The Verbal Fluency tests were compared for the number of clusters, mean size of the clusters, and number of switches. All variables compared showed a statistically significant higher score for Semantic Verbal Fluency. Means and standard deviations of the same variables for year and group effect were realized in both Verbal Fluency tests. A statistically significant difference was observed only for the total number of clusters in the Semantic Verbal Fluency test for group effect, with the best performance of the TD group. A high correlation was observed between the total number of correct answers with the total number of clusters and number of switches in both Verbal Fluency tests. In addition, a correlation was observed between the total number of correct answers and the mean size of the clusters only in the Phonemic Verbal Fluency. Linear regression analysis showed greater variance for the total number of clusters, making it more predictable for performance in both verbal fluency tests. Conclusion Verbal Fluency tests may be sensitive and predictive for the identification of possible differences in school performance associated with reading.

Manuscript: effects of bereavement on graduate students: a qualitative study / Manuscrito: efeitos do luto em pós-graduandos: um estudo qualitativo

Abstract Introduction Bereavement can be characterized by the loss, through death, of a significant person. Individuals who experience bereavement can experience changes in their roles, habits, and routines. In addition, individuals can experience changes in their occupations, such as social and leisure participation and in their activities of daily living. Objective This research aimed to identify graduate students' needs and problem areas following the loss of a loved one to better inform the role of occupational therapy in assisting students during the bereavement process. Method This study utilized a mixed-methods approach. The survey developed and distributed to participants contained qualitative and quantitative data to understand better the relationship between grief, occupational participation, and academic performance. Results This study reviewed the students' needs and problem areas after losing a loved one and determined the areas that impact students' daily living. Conclusion This study demonstrated that losing a loved one affects students' academic performance and ability to perform daily activities.

Resumo Introdução O luto pode ser caracterizado pela perda, por morte de uma pessoa significativa. Indivíduos que vivenciam o luto podem experimentar mudanças em seus papéis, hábitos e rotinas. Além disso, as pessoas podem experimentar mudanças em suas ocupações, tais como na participação social, no lazer e nas atividades da vida diária. Objetivo Identificar as necessidades e áreas problemáticas dos alunos de pós-graduação após a perda de um ente querido para melhor informar o papel da terapia ocupacional na assistência aos alunos durante o processo de luto. Método Este estudo utilizou uma abordagem de métodos mistos, com dados qualitativos e quantitativos, para melhor entender a relação entre luto, a participação ocupacional e o desempenho acadêmico. Resultados as necessidades dos alunos e as áreas problemáticas após a perda de um ente querido foram revisadas e determinadas as áreas que afetam a vida diária dos alunos. Conclusão Este estudo demonstrou que a perda de um ente querido afeta o desempenho acadêmico e a capacidade dos alunos em desempenhar as suas atividades diárias.

Clinical and neurophysiological risk factors of learning disabilities in different types of idiopathic focal epilepsy.

Objectives: Academic difficulties are common in epileptic children. A learning disability (LD) is a reduction in the learning capacity of children or the intellectual ability of adults, which is different from mental retardation or dementia. Materials & Methods: The participants were 56 patients, of whom 35 were males (62.5%), and 21 were females (37.5%). The participants attended the Neurology Outpatient Clinic, the Sohag University Hospital, between December 2016 and May 2017. Children with chronological age between 7 and 16 years with idiopathic focal and normal mental and motor developmental history were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The Revised Quick Neurological Screening Test was used to assess different types of LD. Results: LDs were present in 67.9% of our participants with a statistically significant association between LDs in one arm and younger age, earlier age of onset of epilepsy, frequent seizures, and seizure semiology, particularly of temporal lobe origin, in the other arm. In addition, left epileptic focus on EEG, prolonged treatment duration with antiepileptic drugs (AED), and polytherapy were significantly correlated with LDs. Conclusion: Many factors are significantly correlated with LDs in children with idiopathic focal epilepsy, like age of the patient, age of epilepsy onset, seizure semiology, prolonged AED treatment, and polytherapy.

The identification of gifted underachievement: Validity evidence for the commonly used methods.

BACKGROUND: Much confusion exists about the underachievement of gifted students due to significant variations in how the phenomenon has been identified. From a review of the literature, five methods were found to be commonly used to identify gifted underachievement. AIMS: The purpose of the study was to assess the equivalence of the commonly used methods to identify gifted underachievement, and to determine which of these methods may be optimal. SAMPLE: Data were collected from a school in Sydney, Australia. METHOD: Three measures of convergence (i.e., difference in proportions, phi association, and kappa agreement) were used to assess the equivalence of the identification methods, while latent class analysis was used to determine the optimal identification method. RESULTS: The convergence evidence suggested that the commonly used identification methods may not be considered convergent, while the criterion evidence indicated that one of the five identification methods may have strong levels of criterion validity. CONCLUSIONS: A conclusion was reached that the simple difference method may be the most valid method to identify gifted underachievement.

Prevalence of learning disabilities among middle school students in Beijing / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand the prevalence and distribution of learning disabilities among middle school students in Beijing.@*Methods@#By using stratified random cluster sampling, 6 365 students in grade one and grade two of 12 public middle schools in urban and rural in Beijing were selected. Criteria for learning disabilities included the following: on campus healthy students without serious physical and mental diseases and normal IQ assessed by combined Raven intelligence test; positive in the teacher rated Screening Scale for Middle School Students with Learning Disabilities; percentile ranking (below the bottom 10% percentile of grade) of the academic performance in the Chinese, mathematics and English tests.@*Results@#The learning disabilities of the subjects were determined by the teachers and it was found that the score of words reading, reading understanding, words spell, written expression, number calculation, mathematical reasoning and the total score of the scale were respectively (20.78±4.00, 18.16 ±4.35, 21.50±3.89, 20.06±3.92, 21.12±5.23. 18.67±5.35, 120.28±19.99) points. There were differences in the total score of learning ability between urban and rural areas, gender and grade. Urban area was better than rural area, girls were better than boys, and junior two students were better than junior one students( t=12.94, 9.94, 3.07, P <0.05). A total of 445(7%) students with learning disabilities were detected. Reading disabilities accounted for 5.0%, dysgraphia 2.7% and math disabilities 4.6%. Prevalence of learning ability differed by urban rural regions, gender and grade, with girls and students from urban areas and grade two being significantly lower( t =12.94, 9.94, 3.07, P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#The prevalence of learning disabilities in middle school students is high, which needs more attention.

Relationship between bullying victimization and perpetration, academic achievement and screen time among primary and secondary school students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#The study aims to determine the latent class of roles in bullying victimization and perpetration among primary and secondary school students and to explore its relationship with academic achievement and screen use, to provide a reference for developing preventive measures and intervention plans.@*Methods@#A total of 29 099 students at grade 5,6,7,8,10, and 11 from Shenzhen were surveyed through convenient cluster sampling method by Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire. The latent class analysis was used for classifying bully/victim category.@*Results@#The latent class analysis revealed three classes, the noninvolvement group (low response rate at all items, 80.9%), the bullying victimization group (low response rate at bullying and high response rate at victimization items, 15.9%), and the bullying victimization and perpetration group (high response rate at all items,3.3%). Boys were more likely than girls to belong to the bullying victimization and perpetration at all study sections ( OR =0.83,0.74, 0.47 , P <0.05). Transfer students were at higher risk to be in the bullying victimization group in elementary and middle school ( OR = 1.21 ,1.21), while they were more likely to fall into the bullying victimization and perpetration group in high school ( OR =2.65)( P < 0.05). Students with poor academic performance were more likely to be in the bullying victimization group at all sections ( OR = 0.98 ,0.98,0.98) and in the bullying victimization and perpetration group at elementary and middle school ( OR =0.97, 0.98)( P < 0.05 ). Students spending longer time on screen had elevated risk in the bullying victimization group ( OR =1.06,1.04,1.08, P < 0.05 ).@*Conclusion@#Students with poor academic achievement and prolonged screen time are at higher risks to be involved in bullying victimization and perpetration. Collaboration between home and school are needed to preventing bullying victimization perpetration.

Reflections of the social determinants of health on school children's learning / Reflexiones de los determinantes sociales de la salud sobre el aprendizaje de los escolares / Reflexos dos determinantes sociais da saúde na aprendizagem de crianças escolares

ABSTRACT Objective: understanding the repercussions of the social determinants of health on school children's learning, linked to the public-school network, from the point of view of health and education professionals. Method: qualitative study, participant-action type, articulated to Freire's Research Itinerary, through three moments: Thematic Investigation; Coding and Decoding; Critical Unveiling. The participants were 27 health professionals and 18 education professionals, working in four municipalities of Santa Catarina. Individual interviews and a Culture Circle took place between November 2020 and March 2021. The analysis was developed in the discussions in the Culture Circle, with reflection on the themes. Results: unfavorable living conditions, unhealthy habits, and weak social relationships tend to negatively influence children's school learning. There is a need for the implementation of actions involving the health and education sectors, such as the Health at School Program. Conclusion: the articulated action of health and education professionals on social determinants is the way to promote health and children's school performance, in order to minimize the effects of existing inequities.

RESUMEN Objetivo: comprender los reflejos de los determinantes sociales de la salud en el aprendizaje de los escolares, vinculados a la red pública de enseñanza, desde la perspectiva de los profesionales de la salud y de la educación. Método: estudio cualitativo, de tipo acción-participante, articulado al Itinerario de Investigación de Freire, a través de tres momentos: Investigación temática; codificación y descodificación; desvelamiento crítico. Participaron 27 profesionales de la salud y 18 de la educación, que trabajan en cuatro municipios de Santa Catarina. Entre noviembre de 2020 y marzo de 2021 se celebraron entrevistas individuales y un Círculo de Cultura. El análisis se desarrolló en los debates del Círculo de Cultura, con reflexión sobre los temas. Resultados: las condiciones de vida desfavorables, los hábitos poco saludables y las relaciones sociales débiles tienden a influir negativamente en el aprendizaje escolar de los niños. Es necesario poner en marcha acciones que impliquen a los sectores sanitario y educativo, como el Programa Salud en la Escuela. Conclusión: la acción articulada de los profesionales de la salud y de la educación sobre los determinantes sociales es el camino para promover la salud y el rendimiento escolar de los niños, con el fin de minimizar los efectos de las desigualdades existentes.

RESUMO Objetivo: compreender os reflexos dos determinantes sociais da saúde na aprendizagem de crianças escolares, vinculadas à rede pública de ensino, sob a ótica dos profissionais da saúde e da educação. Método: estudo qualitativo, do tipo ação participante, articulado ao Itinerário de Pesquisa de Freire, percorrendo três momentos: Investigação Temática; Codificação e Decodificação; Desvelamento Crítico. Participaram 27 profissionais da saúde e 18 da educação, atuantes em quatro municípios de Santa Catarina. Realizaram-se entrevistas individuais e um Círculo de Cultura entre novembro de 2020 a março de 2021. A análise desenvolveu-se nas discussões no Círculo de Cultura, com reflexão dos temas. Resultados: as condições de vida desfavoráveis, hábitos pouco saudáveis e as relações sociais frágeis tendem a influenciar negativamente na aprendizagem escolar das crianças. Há necessidade de implementação de ações envolvendo o setor saúde e educação, como o Programa Saúde na Escola. Conclusão a atuação articulada dos profissionais de saúde e educação sobre os determinantes sociais é o caminho para promover saúde e o desempenho escolar infantil, com vistas a minimizar os efeitos das iniquidades existentes.

Fatores sociodemográficos, comportamentais e bucais associados a reprovação em escolares adolescentes: estudo transversal / Sociodemographic, behavioral, and oral factors associated with failure in adolescent schoolchildren: a cross-sectional study

Objetivo: avaliar associações entre fatores sociodemográficos, sociais e bucais e reprovação escolar entre adolescentes. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal e analítico realizado com 251 adolescentes, entre 14 e 18 anos, provenientes de cinco escolas estaduais do município de Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brasil. A variável desfecho avaliada foi a reprovação escolar e as variáveis independentes incluíram fatores sociodemográficos e bucais. Para se avaliar a associação entre as variáveis, realizou-se regressão logística simples e múltipla, permanecendo no modelo final as variáveis com p≤0,05, após o ajuste para as demais variáveis. Resultados: A maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino (61,8%), com idade até 16 anos (58,6%), tinham mais que um irmão (60,2%) e o grau de instrução dos chefes das famílias era acima de oito anos (71,3%). A reprovação escolar foi relatada por 12,7% dos adolescentes. No modelo ajustado final, verificou-se que a reprovação escolar permaneceu associada aos adolescentes que apresentavam mais de um irmão (OR = 3,79: IC 95%: 1,34-10,73), que foram ao dentista na última vez por motivo de dor (OR = 3,00: IC 95%: 1,26-7,15) e com autoavaliação negativa da saúde bucal (OR = 5,50: IC9 5%: 2,10-14,36). Conclusão: Fatores sociodemográficos e bucais estiveram associados com a reprovação escolar em adolescentes. Nesse contexto, recomenda-se a continuidade das ações e políticas públicas intersetoriais entre os setores de educação e saúde para a melhoria da saúde bucal dos escolares, a qual apresenta associações com o rendimento acadêmico.

Aim: to evaluate the association between sociodemographic, social and oral factors, and school failure among adolescents. Methods: This is a cross-sectional and analytical study carried out with 251 adolescents, between 14 and 18 years of age, from five state schools in the city of Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. This work evaluated the outcome variable of school failure, and the independent variables included sociodemographic, social, and oral factors. To assess the association between the variables, simple and multiple logistic regressions were performed, with the variables presenting p≤0.05 remaining in the final model after adjustments for the other variables. Results: Most participants were female (61.8%), up to 16 years of age (58.6%), who had more than one sibling (60.2%), and whose level of education of the heads of the household was over eight years (71.3%). School failure was reported by 12.7% of the adolescents. In the final adjusted model, school failure remained associated with adolescents who had more than one sibling (OR = 3.79: 95% CI: 1.34-10.73), who went to the dentist the last time due to pain (OR = 3.00: 95% CI: 1.26-7.15) and a negative oral health self-assessment (OR = 5.50: 95% CI: 2.10-14.36). Conclusion: Sociodemographic and oral factors were associated with school failure in adolescents. In this context, it is recommended to continue intersectoral actions and public policies between education and health to improve the oral health of schoolchildren and, consequently, their academic performance.

La creatividad en estudiantes con TDAH y altas capacidades / Creativity in students with ADHD and high capacities

El trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH) es una patología recurrente en el contexto escolar, la cual ha sido asociada a un bajo rendimiento académico y dificultades en la capacidad cognitiva. Sin embargo, en los últimos años, ha surgido un interés por estudiar otros factores que también parecen asociarse con este trastorno. Entre ellos, destacan la alta capacidad y la creatividad como componentes que en al-gunas ocasiones aparecen de forma conjunta con el TDAH. El objetivo de la presente revisión bibliográfica consiste en recopilar información teórica relacionada con la crea-tividad como factor que se articula con el TDAH y las altas capacidades. Para esto, se realizó la búsqueda de antecedentes investigativos, relacionados con esta temática en diferentes bases de datos, desde el año 2006 hasta el 2020. Los resultados de esta búsqueda indican que algunos de los niños con TDAH, presentan un coeficiente intelec-tual superior y un alto índice de creatividad, que puede verse alterado por los efectos del tratamiento farmacológico. Por ello, la mayoría de estas investigaciones sugiere la realización de otros estudios empíricos que soporten esta relación

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a recurrent pathology in the school context, which has been associated with low academic performance and difficulties in cognitive ability. However, in recent years, there has been an interest in studying other factors that also seem to be associated with this disorder. Among them, high ability and creativity stand out as components that sometimes appear together with ADHD. The aim of this literature review is to compile theoretical information related to creativity as a factor that is articulated with ADHD and high abilities. For this purpose, a search of research background related to this topic was carried out in different databases, from 2006 to 2020. The results of this search indicate that some of the children with ADHD have a higher IQ and a high creativity index, which may be altered by the effects of pharmacological treatment. Therefore, most of these investigations suggest that further empirical studies should be carried out to support this relationship

Características del ingreso y resultados académicos en estudiantes de primer año de Medicina / Characteristics of admission and academic results in first-year medical students

RESUMEN Fundamento: la identificación de factores que influyen en el rendimiento académico de los estudiantes constituye un pilar importante para el perfeccionamiento del proceso enseñanza aprendizaje. Objetivo: analizar el desempeño académico de los estudiantes previo a su ingreso en la educación superior y en su primer año de estudios. Métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal descriptivo con estudiantes que matricularon como nuevo ingreso en el primer año de Medicina, durante los cursos escolares 2017-2018 y 2018-2019. Las variables principales empleadas fueron el género, los resultados de exámenes de ingreso, índice académico y de escalafón. A partir de las calificaciones en las asignaturas de las ciencias básicas biomédicas se realizó la clasificación en rendimiento académico alto, medio, bajo y deficiente. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y de asociación entre las variables del estudio. Resultados: se constató que tanto en hembras como en varones el número de estudiantes con rendimiento académico en ciencias básicas es bajo, con índice académico menor de 90; los que desaprobaron duplican o triplican el número de los aprobados. Se observó correlación positiva entre el índice de escalafón y la nota promedio de ciencias básicas al final del primer año de la carrera. Conclusiones: en los estudiantes de primer año de Medicina se reconoció un bajo nivel académico en las ciencias básicas, en el que influyeron los resultados de la enseñanza precedente.

ABSTRACT Background: the identification of factors that influence the academic performance of students constitutes an important pillar for the improvement of the teaching-learning process. Objective: to analyze the academic performance of students prior to entering higher education and in their first year of studies. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with students who enrolled as a new student in the first year of Medicine, during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years. The main variables used were gender, entrance exam results, academic index and ranking. Based on the grades in the subjects of basic biomedical sciences, the classification was made into high, average, low and poor academic performance. A descriptive and association analysis was performed among the study variables. Results: it was found that in both males and females the number of students with academic performance in basic sciences is low, with an academic index of less than 90; those who flunked double or triple the number of those who passed. A positive correlation was observed between the ranking index and the average grade in basic sciences at the end of the first year of the degree. Conclusions: in the first-year medical students, a low academic level was recognized in the basic sciences, which was influenced by the results of the previous teaching.

Análisis predictivo de la deserción estudiantil en la carrera de Medicina / Predictive analysis on student dropout in the Medicine degree

RESUMEN Fundamento: la deserción escolar debe ser analizada en un contexto multivariado para identificar sus causas y efectos, de ningún modo debe ser atribuida a una sola causa. Objetivo: determinar la capacidad predictiva de algunos factores sobre la deserción escolar de estudiantes de Medicina, a través de un modelo de regresión logística múltiple. Métodos: se realizó un estudio analítico, predictivo en 87 estudiantes de Medicina matriculados en el curso 2015-2016. Se aplicaron métodos teóricos y empíricos y se realizó en dos etapas: en la primera se identificaron las variables más asociadas a la deserción escolar a través de un análisis bivariado; y en la segunda, se analizó la capacidad de estas variables para predecir la deserción a través de la regresión logística (análisis multivariado). Resultados: en el análisis bivariado, nueve variables mostraron relación significativa con la deserción escolar; al someterlas al análisis multivariado (correlación y regresión logística), solo cuatro mantuvieron la significación estadística, por lo que finalmente fueron las escogidas como variables predictoras. Conclusiones: la deserción escolar en estudiantes de la carrera de Medicina puede predecirse por la combinación sinérgica de los cuatro predictores: dedicarle al estudio menos de 15 horas por semana, el sexo femenino, la repitencia escolar y el bajo rendimiento académico en Morfofisiología.

ABSTRACT Background: school dropout should be analyzed in a multivariate context to identify its causes and effects; in no way, it should be attributed to a single cause. Objective: to determine the predictive capacity of some factors on the school dropout of medical students, through a multiple logistic regression model. Methods: an analytical, predictive study was carried out in 87 medical students enrolled in the 2015-2016 academic year. Theoretical and empirical methods were applied and it was carried out in two stages: in the first, the variables most associated with school dropout were identified through a bivariate analysis; and in the second, the ability of these variables to predict dropout was analyzed through logistic regression (multivariate analysis). Results: in the bivariate analysis, nine variables showed a significant relationship with school dropout; when subjected to multivariate analysis (correlation and logistic regression), only four maintained statistical significance, that´s why they were finally chosen as predictor variables. Conclusions: school dropout in Medicine students can be predicted by the synergistic combination of the four predictors: dedicating less than 15 hours per week to study, female sex, school repetition and low academic performance in Morphology-physiology.

Profiles of maladaptive school motivation among high-ability adolescents: A person-centered exploration of the motivational Pathways to Underachievement model.

INTRODUCTION: The Pathways to Underachievement model (PUM; Snyder & Linnenbrink-Garcia, 2013) is a person-oriented framework identifying two distinct patterns of self- and value beliefs that help explain underachievement among cognitively highly able students. This framework was developed to clear up inconclusive findings from variable-centered underachievement research, but has not been previously empirically tested. METHODS: The present study aimed to test the PUM by investigating (a) whether the predicted motivational profiles are evident among a sample of high-ability students (IQ ≥ 120) beginning secondary school in Flanders, Belgium (N = 403, Mage = 12.2 years, 60.5% males) and (b) whether these profiles relate to students' (dis)engagement from and (under)achievement in school, as assessed by the students, their parents and teachers, and school grades. Latent profile analysis was performed on five motivational dimensions: academic self-concept, self-worth contingency, task value beliefs, entity beliefs, and attainment/utility value, and outcomes were compared across profiles using the BCH method. RESULTS: Latent profile analysis identified four profiles, each involving a distinct patterns of motivational variables. Two of the profiles exhibited maladaptive variable patterns consistent with the distinct profiles theorized by the PUM. Furthermore, profile differences in (dis)engagement and (under)achievement outcomes generally corresponded with the predictions of the PUM across multiple perspectives. CONCLUSION: This study found distinct maladaptive motivational profiles that were each linked to the outcomes hypothesized by the PUM. These findings establish empirically that there are qualitatively different types of high-ability underachievers, which supports the Pathways to Underachievement model and gives momentum to person-oriented analysis within underachievement research.

Development and Evaluation of a Working Memory Intervention Kit in Children with Epilepsy in Low-Resource Settings.

OBJECTIVES: In this pilot study, the authors developed and evaluated a working memory intervention (WMI) using a combination of mobile phone-based application and an activity booklet, among children with idiopathic generalized epilepsy. METHODS: Pre- and post-intervention cognitive evaluation at 8 wk included: subtests comprising working memory index from Wechsler Intelligence Scale-IV, color cancellation task for sustained attention, and parent's rating from the Conners' ADHD/DSM-IV Scales of the Conners' Rating Scales-Revised. RESULTS: Fourteen children completed the intervention; one was lost to follow-up. Significant improvement in most working memory parameters occurred at 8 wk: digit span [scaled scores: median 7 (IQR 4-9) to 12 (IQR 9-14.25); p = 0.001]; letter-number sequencing [scaled scores: median 9 (IQR 5-10) to 11.5 (IQR 6.75-13); p = 0.03]; WMI [median 14 (IQR 9-18) to 22 (IQR 16.75-27); p = 0.001] and sustained attention [time for cancellation test improved from 95 (72-117) to 85 (63-98) s; p = 0.001]. CONCLUSION: This indigenous WMI was feasible and efficacious in improving working memory deficits in CWE in low-resource settings.

Addressing Academic Concerns: A Survey of Primary Care Providers.

Given new clinical recommendations, we sought to better understand the perspectives and practices of primary care providers (PCPs) around pediatric academic concerns. Practicing PCPs were recruited to complete an 8-item self-report survey; 163 PCPs were included in the final analysis. Results indicated that 84% of PCPs perceived their role in addressing patients' academic concerns as highly important; yet there was variability in the frequency with which PCPs reported engaging in activities around these educational needs. There was a significant positive relationship between perception of role importance and engagement in clinical supports. Some differences were present in responses across PCP specialty area. More information about practice differences between provider types, rural versus urban practices, and how perceptions/practices differ based on provider demographics are likely to be useful areas for future consideration. Our findings highlight the need to advance PCP instruction for practical implementation to increase rates of engagement in these activities.

Spatially gifted, academically inconvenienced: Spatially talented students experience less academic engagement and more behavioural issues than other talented students.

BACKGROUND: Spatially talented students have a capacity for success that is too often overlooked by educational services. Because these students may lack appropriate challenge, theorists suggest these students experience greater academic struggles than other gifted students, including behavioural problems and lack of academic engagement. AIMS: The goal of this research was to explore empirical evidence for the claim that spatially talented students would experience more academic struggles than other gifted students. We sought to understand the size of the 'spatially talented' population and their patterns of behavioural and academic struggles in high school. We also looked at long-term outcomes, including degree completion. SAMPLES: This article explores characteristics of spatial talent in three US nationally representative data sets: Project Talent (1960), High School and Beyond (1980), and the National Longitudinal Study of Youth (1997). Combined, these data provide a 60-year longitudinal study of student outcomes. METHODS: This study utilized factor analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and regression methods to explore the research questions for each data set. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: From our analyses, we estimate that 4-6% (at least 2 million) of the 56.6 million students in the US K-12 system are spatially talented students that are not identified by common gifted and talented screening processes. These students had greater academic challenges, including reading difficulties, poor study habits, and behavioural troubles. We also found that spatially talented students were less likely to complete college degrees compared to other talented students. Our findings support the need for greater services to these talented students.

Influência do processamento fonológico no mau desempenho escolar: revisão sistemática de literatura / Influence of phonological processing on poor school performance: systematic literature review

RESUMO Objetivo: Realizar revisão sistemática de produções científicas que abordaram o tema processamento fonológico quanto à influência no mau desempenho escolar, bem como sua interferência no desenvolvimento de leitura e escrita. Estratégia de pesquisa: Foram pesquisados, em bases de dados eletrônicos, artigos publicados até agosto de 2017. Após elaboração da pergunta norteadora do estudo: "Qual a influência do processamento fonológico no mau desempenho escolar e sua relação no desenvolvimento de leitura e escrita?", foram realizados levantamento e seleção dos relatos utilizando descritores, reunidos em uma única equação de busca, de acordo com três eixos temáticos: processamento fonológico, aprendizagem e mau desempenho escolar. Critérios de seleção: Foram incluídas pesquisas originais com avaliação de no mínimo duas habilidades do processamento fonológico. Foram excluídos os artigos que não apresentavam relação entre as habilidades do processamento fonológico e desempenho escolar. Análise dos dados: Foi realizada a leitura dos títulos e resumos por duas profissionais fonoaudiólogas, separadamente. Os resultados foram comparados e as divergências encontradas, decididas por uma terceira pesquisadora fonoaudióloga, também responsável pelo estudo. Os artigos incluídos foram lidos na íntegra e realizada a extração de dados para análise da metodologia e dos principais resultados. Resultados: Foram selecionados 982 estudos potencialmente relevantes. Após a utilização das matrizes de evidência, 38 produções científicas foram incluídas para análise detalhada. Conclusão: O estudo das produções científicas revelou que a alteração em habilidades do processamento fonológico apresentou relação com o mau desempenho escolar e, associada à fase de escolarização, houve influência direta nas competências de leitura e escrita.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To carry out a systematic review of scientific productions that dealt with the topic of phonological processing in relation to the influence of poor academic performance, as well as its interference in the development of reading and writing. Research strategy: Articles published until August 2017 were searched in electronic databases. After elaborating the guiding question of the study: "What is the influence of phonological processing on poor school performance and its relation in the development of reading and writing?", we collected and selected the reports using descriptors, gathered in a single search equation, according to three thematic axes: phonological processing, learning and poor school performance. Selection criteria: Original researches with an evaluation of at least two phonological processing skills were included. Articles that had no relationship between phonological processing skills and school performance were excluded. Data analysis: The titles and abstracts were read by two speech-language pathologists, separately. The results were compared and the divergences found decided by a third researcher speech therapist, also responsible for the study. The articles included were read in full and data extraction was performed to analyze the methodology and the main results. Results: 982 potentially relevant studies were selected. After using the evidence matrices, 38 scientific productions were included for detailed analysis. Conclusion: The study of scientific productions revealed that the alteration in phonological processing skills presented a relation with poor academic performance and, together with the schooling phase, directly influenced reading and writing skills.

Academic (Under)achievement of Intellectually Gifted Students in the Transition Between Primary and Secondary Education: An Individual Learner Perspective.

In the last decade, the Achievement Orientation Model (AOM) of Siegle and McCoach has often been used to quantitatively explore different pathways for academic achievement among intellectually gifted students in educational settings, mostly in secondary education. To study the dynamics of the different components in the AOM, we further examined the inhibiting and facilitating factors associated with academic achievement as experienced by well-performing and underperforming gifted students. Because the transition from elementary to secondary education is a crucial phase for intellectually gifted students, we selected students from the 7th and 8th grade, using purposive sampling. Six gifted students, three well-performing and three underperforming, from two different high schools participated in in-depth interviews. By capturing the lived experiences of six intellectually gifted students in this study, we were able to get more insight into the complex processes that relate to students' (dis)engagement and (under)achievement in school. The findings underline the value of the AOM and stress the importance of taking learner perceptions into account.