The study examined the internal consistency, factor structure, and predictive validity of the academic identity measure (AIM), a pioneer measure of academic identity status. Data were collected from 390 students (average age 16.65; SD=1.31) in 10 secondary schools in Embu County, Kenya. The factor structure of the AIM corresponded to that reported in previous studies among high school and college students. Furthermore, significant correlation and predictive equation was found between AIM subscales and academic achievement. The AIM yielded data with sufficient psychometric properties among secondary school students. In addition, the findings add support to crossnational generalizability of the factor structure of the AIM.

There is substantial literature on the relationship between ability streaming and academic performance among students. This literature however is scanty on the relationship between ability streaming and academic inferiority feelings. The main aim of this study was therefore to investigate the relationship between ability streaming and academic inferiority feelings among students who do not perform well. Alfred Adler’s theory of individual psychology forms the theoretical framework of the study. The study adopted a mixed methods sequential explanatory research design. It was carried out in Kisii County, Kenya. The target population was all the Form Three students in public schools in Kenya (593711 students). Proportionate stratified sampling was used to select the top, average and low-ranking schools in the county. It was further used to stratify schools into boys’ boarding, girls’ boarding, mixed day and boarding and mixed day schools. Simple random sampling was used in the selection of the 400 respondents from 20 schools to form the sample. The research instruments were questionnaires and an interview schedule for the students administered by the researcher. Personal and academic self-concept inventory (PASCI) was used to collect data on academic inferiority feelings and Stephanie Soto Gordon’s questionnaire was used to collect data on ability streaming from students. A pilot study was used to validate and ensure reliability of the research instruments. Both descriptive and inferential statistical procedures were used to analyze data with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The results were presented using frequency tables. The results showed that there was a relationship between ability streaming and academic inferiority feelings with most of the respondents having moderate feelings of academic inferiority i.e. 83%. Sex differences were found in ability streaming in regard to academic inferiority feelings. Boys experienced a slightly higher level of academic inferiority feelings with a mean of 67.11as compared to girls who had a mean 65.08. A major recommendation of the study among others was that the ministry of education should try to do away with ability streaming in schools which makes the students feel academically inferior.

Despite introduction of Information Communication Technology in schools by Government of Kenya, minimal research has been done on influence of learning strategies in information communication technology use on academic self-concept of pupils. Poor trends in academic achievement are associated with pupils’ low academic self-concept as an outcome of continued use of traditional learning strategies. The purpose of the present study was therefore to investigate the influence of learning strategies in the use of information communication technology on pupils’ academic self-concept. Multimedia Learning Theory, Collaborative Learning Theory and the Self Theory of Personality Development formed the theoretical framework of the study. A causal comparative ex post facto research design was used. The study employed mixed methods research by integrating qualitative and quantitative research. The study was done in Bungoma County. The target population was Standard Seven pupils in public primary schools in Bungoma County. A sample of 375 pupils was involved. Purposive sampling was used to select schools with computer program as treatment group and simple random sampling for schools using traditional learning strategies as comparison group. Independent and dependent variables were learning strategies and academic self-concept respectively. Data was collected through an adapted questionnaire with Academic Self-concept Scale and Learning Strategy Rating Scale for learning strategies. Oral interviews and non-participant overt observations were used to collect qualitative data from pupils and teachers who handled learners in the laptop computer programs. The reliability and validity of the instruments was established through a pilot study in 2 sampled schools which were not included in the main study. Data management and analysis was done using both inferential and descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences program. Pearson product moment correlation and t-test were used for inferential statistics. Results showed that significant differences in academic self-concept existed between pupils using traditional learning strategies and those using learning strategies in the use of ICT (t = 3.990, df = 238, p< 0.05), (t= 4.256, df = 238, p< 0.05) and (t= 2.014 df=251, p<0.05). Apart from Individual Learning Strategy in the use of computer, Child-to-Child and Child-teacher learning strategies were found to have significant relationships with academic self-concept [r(186)= 0.300, 0.275 and 0.311, p< 0.05]. Recommendations for adoption of learning strategies in information communication technology use in classroom teaching and learning, policy development in education and curriculum development were made. Further research using pre-test and post-test experimental design with control group using samples at other levels of education and on individual subject academic self-concept was recommended.