The Effects of a Cooperative System between Elementary and Junior High Schools on Prevention of School Maladjustment

Abstract

This study examines a cooperative system between elementary and junior high schools in a certain city and its effectiveness in preventing school maladjustment. In this cooperative system which sent sheets of paper about each 6th grade pupils over 15 absent days per year in elementary school days written by elementary school teachers and consulting comments made by clinical psychologist to junior high school teachers. This system was first tested in Japan, where it was initiated in 6 junior high schools and 18 elementary schools. Detailed analyses of 6 schools showed that the program had mixed results in preventing school maladjustment. The importance of active utilization of this system, the necessity of school system to support teams, and the number of teachers sharing the information were discussed.