Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine grade nine teachers' perception of
how teachers, parents, peers, administrators, and community members influence
the overall development of grade nine students. Ten grade nine teachers (four
male and six female) participated in the study which consisted of the completion
of a one hour, tape-recorded interview.
The central findings were as follows: 1) the grade nine student has evolved;
2) peers have an important impact on the four developmental areas (physical,
emotional, social, and academic) of the grade nine student; and 3) the role of the
grade nine teacher appears to have dramatically changed over the last
seventeen years.
Suggestions and recommendations for future research in this field are based
on findings related to the enhancement of the secondary school experience for
the grade nine adolescent.
