Action Research: Effects of Self-Efficacy Training on Low Achieving Freshmen

Abstract

This action research project investigated the effects of self-efficacy training on low achieving high school freshman who were considered to be at risk for academic failure. Six students participated in psycho-educational group counseling sessions for forty-five minutes weekly over the course of a nine-week reporting period. Findings indicated significant gains on all six domains of the Piers Harris 2 from pretest to posttest. Additionally, follow up interviews reflecting on the intervention indicated that students would indeed continue with the sessions and were more confident about their academic capabilities as a result of the experience.