Children’s wellbeing in a high-stakes testing environment: The case of Hong Kong

Cho, Esther Yin-Nei; Chan, Thomas

doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104694

Cited by 40 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 37 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The reason behind this phenomenon could be attributed to the cultural difference between Eastern and Western societies. It has been well discussed by scholars that countries in East Asia were historically under the influence of Confucian philosophy and adopted an examination-oriented culture (Cho & Chan, 2020 ; Kwon et al, 2017 ). As a result, Chinese people pay much attention to pursuing academic excellence, as it was considered as a pathway for upward social mobility (Shek & Siu, 2019 ), and it has affected Hong Kong students even since they are in elementary schools.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As a result, Chinese people pay much attention to pursuing academic excellence, as it was considered as a pathway for upward social mobility (Shek & Siu, 2019 ), and it has affected Hong Kong students even since they are in elementary schools. According to a qualitative study on grade 5 students in Hong Kong undertaken by Cho and Chan ( 2020 ), participants has expressed that they have no time for leisure as the emphasis on grades always means that they need to study out of school by attending academic tutoring. The enormous quantity of homework was also mentioned by the students as the source of frustration.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Civic Engagement, Social Support, and Sense of Meaningfulness in Life of Adolescents Living in Hong Kong: Implications for Social Work Practice

Fong

2022

Child Adolesc Soc Work J

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Little is known about the moderation effect of social support on youth’s civic engagement and meaning in life. To address this research gap, the current study examines the relationship among civic engagement, different sources of social support (family, significant others, and friends), and sense of meaningfulness in life. 1330 High school students in Hong Kong were recruited to participate into a survey in this study. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the possible moderation effect of social support on youth’s civic engagement and meaning in life. The results indicate a positive association between civic engagement and the sense of meaningfulness in life. Social support from family and significant others is also found to be associated positively with the sense of meaningfulness in life. Surprisingly, a negative moderation effect of social support from friends is found in the relationship between civic engagement and the sense of meaningfulness in life, which reminds us to reconsider the nature of friendship support. The results suggest that the government and social workers should continue to facilitate youth participation in civic engagement. Further, more focus should be put on nurturing positive family relationships and support from significant others, from which youth’s sense of meaningfulness can be enhanced.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Civic Engagement, Social Support, and Sense of Meaningfulness in Life of Adolescents Living in Hong Kong: Implications for Social Work Practice

Fong

2022

Child Adolesc Soc Work J

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…At schools, children face regular tests and examinations. With endless amounts of homework, drilling, and extra tuition, Hong Kong students have little time for relaxation and leisure activities (28). Academic goals become their sources of high anxiety (29, 30).…”

Section: Education In Danger Of Becoming a Single-minded Pursuit On A...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Yet, over-emphasis in academic excellence and grades is not a phenomenon specific to Hong Kong. It is also prevalent in eastern and southern Asian countries, like Singapore, (32) South Korea, (28) or even in Western countries like the USA (33). This overemphasis not only creates stress for students, but also equal stress on teachers, who thus devote a large amount of classroom time to deliver academics and prepare students for tests and examination (34).…”

Section: Education In Danger Of Becoming a Single-minded Pursuit On A...mentioning

confidence: 99%

School-Based Mental Health Initiative: Potentials and Challenges for Child and Adolescent Mental Health

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

School-based mental health support services allow children and adolescents easy access to services without requirement of traveling to clinics and hospitals. We describe a School Mental Health Support Scheme (SMHSS) piloted in Hong Kong and discuss the challenges and learnings from the experience. This conceptual paper argues that accessibility is not the only advantage of such services. Teachers are significant others in child development, alongside with families. They play a central role in impacting the children's/adolescents' needs for competence and adult attachment, while schools provide an expanded social network of peers for one's social relationship. The fulfillment of these needs has powerful implications in the mental health of the children/adolescents. Teachers can help students to develop a sense of competence with self-worth and self-identity via providing guidance and feedback, whether they be on one's strengths or weaknesses, with acceptance, tolerance and unconditional positive regard. Particularly, the latter define a form of teacher-student relationship or adult attachment that offers the children/adolescents emotional security and nourishment, protecting them from failings and adversities. Teachers can also supervise and guide their students' social development with peers at schools. A recent meta-analysis has found preliminary evidence that those school-based mental health services integrated into the teachers' routine teaching activities are more effective. Teachers, who are overworked and stressed by the schools' overemphasis on academics and grades, have yet to fully grasp their unique roles in supporting students with mental health needs. This paper ends by advocating a paradigm shift in which both the healthcare professionals and educators should forge a mutually beneficial collaboration in jointly enhancing the mental health of children/adolescents at schools.

show abstract

“…However, by far the strongest criticism against such tests is that they cause stress and harm the wellbeing of young people (Cho & Chan, 2020;UK Education Select Committee, 2020). This has been a growing concern in recent years, with mental health problems amongst school children in England on the rise (NHS Digital, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

National tests and the wellbeing of primary school pupils: new evidence from the UK

Jerrim

2021

Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is growing concern about the mental wellbeing of young people, including how this is related to national tests. This is a particularly important policy issue in England, where it is claimed that the end of primary Key Stage 2 tests cause schools, pupils and teachers stress. I investigate this issue using data from the Millennium Cohort Study, comparing the wellbeing of pupils in England (measured around the point they are sitting their Key Stage 2 tests) to the rest of the UK (where Key Stage 2 tests are not taken). No evidence is found that the Key Stage 2 tests in England is associated with lower levels of happiness, enjoyment of school, self-esteem or children's mental wellbeing. Likewise, no evidence is found that children who are happier, more selfconfident or with higher levels of wellbeing obtain higher Key Stage 2 test scores.

show abstract

Children’s wellbeing in a high-stakes testing environment: The case of Hong Kong

Cited by 40 publications

References 37 publications

Civic Engagement, Social Support, and Sense of Meaningfulness in Life of Adolescents Living in Hong Kong: Implications for Social Work Practice

Civic Engagement, Social Support, and Sense of Meaningfulness in Life of Adolescents Living in Hong Kong: Implications for Social Work Practice

School-Based Mental Health Initiative: Potentials and Challenges for Child and Adolescent Mental Health

National tests and the wellbeing of primary school pupils: new evidence from the UK

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About