Evaluation of educational school environment and academic self-evaluation of adolescent athletes and non-athletes

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Nesportuojantys paaugliai; Nuostatos; Paaugliai sportininkai; Požiūris; Savijauta mokykloje; Sportinis aktyvumas; Sporto veiklos; Sportuojantys paaugliai; Adolescent athletes; Adolescent non-athletes; Attitude; Feeling at school; Sports activity.

ENBackground. Grigaliūnienė, Vėlavičienė, Šulga, and Keblys (2007) have revealed that meaningful relationships with teachers are influenced by positive attitudes towards them with a good emotional atmosphere in the classroom and a positive microclimate between pupils and teachers. Many scientists point out that education in sports activities positively impacts the development of adolescents’ communication and collaboration with peers and adults, adequate self-evaluation and other positive personality characteristics (Kremer-Sadlik & Kim, 2007; Ream & Rumberger, 2008). Research aim was to determine the evaluation of educational school environment and academic self-evaluation of 11–15-year-old adolescent athletes and non-athletes. Methods. The research was conducted in 2015. We questioned 209 adolescents, aged 11–15 years. In order to determine adolescents’ attitudes towards school educational environment, the survey included the following scales: "Teachers’ help for pupils"; "Support of classmates"; "Positive relationship between adolescents and school"; "Attitude towards socioeducational school environment"; "Loneliness at school", and "Academic self-evaluation". Results. The survey revealed that boys’ attitudes to socioeducational school environment resulted to be better than that of girls (p<.05) and that younger adolescents felt more help from the teachers at school than older adolescents (p<.05), but they also pointed out that they experienced a stronger sense of loneliness at school (p<.05). More positive relationship was revealed between adolescent athletes and school (p<.05), but adolescent nonathletes had a better attitude to socioeducational school environment. Conclusion. It was found that although adolescent non-athletes had a better approach to socioeducational school environment, their peer reported having a better link with school. [abstract from author