Study, Study, Study...

One of the most common words heard in a high school is study, study and study.  Do students know how to study?  Low standardized test scores and low achievement is a constant struggle in most high schools (Migliazzo, 2006).  Academic standards have become a central focus with No Child Left Behind Act; its purpose to ensure all students meet proficiency standards and have acquired basic skills (NCLB; 2001).  By the time students enter high school, it is assumed that they have the study skills needed to be academically successful (Polloway, Patton & Serna, 2001).  Low achievement scores indicate otherwise.  Students lack the skills and strategies necessary to achieve passing grades and meet mandated standards (Balduf , 2009).  This area of education continues to be neglected and ignored (Fritzen, 2000).  Often students only learn about study skills and strategies, but never understand how to utilize and apply them to specific classes and daily life.