| Description |
The specific purpose of this research study was to investigate the relationship between high school academic achievement and future total life satisfaction. A second purpose was to investigate the relationship between IQ and future total life satisfaction. A third purpose was to investigate the relationship between CPA and future total life satisfaction. Nine secondary variables were also investigated to determine the possible influence they may have on future total life satisfaction. These were marital status, number of children, occupational level, occupational group, number of jobs held, years on present job, annual salary, home ownership or rental, and years of school attended. The sample of 105 male students came from an initial population of 186 male Bountiful High School students, who began the tenth grade in 1963 and were scheduled to graduate in 1966. Of the 130 members who could be located in 1975 at the time data were gathered for the present study, 125 agreed to participate in answering the questionnaires. The sample of 105 represents 56% of the initial 186 tenth graders, 81% of the 130 who could be located, and 84% of those who agreed to answer the questionnaires. Analysis of the data pertaining to the 81 population members who are not in the sample reveals that they do not differ materially in IQ, CPA, or CPA/IQ ratio from the members in the sample. The GPA and IQ were obtained from the high school records. The total life satisfaction data on the subjects were collected by the use of a Job and a Life Satisfaction Questionnaire. Summary of Findings The findings of this study are summarized as follows: 1. No significant relationship exists between high school academic achievement and future total life satisfaction. The correlation coefficient between these two variables was -.01. 2. No significant relationship exists between males' IQ and future total life satisfaction. The correlation coefficient between these two variables was .05. 3. No significant relationship exists between males' high school GPA and future total life satisfaction. The correlation coefficient between these two variables was .01. 4. Of the nine secondary variables examined, the best predictors of total life satisfaction are annual salary, marital status, occupational level and years of school completed in that order. Statement of Conclusions From an analysis of the findings of this research study the following statement of conclusions is made: From the above it is concluded that total life satisfaction cannot be predicted directly from the level of one's high school academic achievement. On the other hand, the fact that there is not a significant relationship between academic achievement and future total life satisfaction would indicate that the great pressure placed on students by parents and educators to achieve up to their potential ability is not warranted. This suggests that efforts be directed, not towards striving for higher and higher levels of academic achievement, but towards arranging conditions and providing programs that will permit students to succeed and continue in school. It would seem that emphasis upon grades as such is misdirected. Are we pursuing false gods when we worship high grades so much? Perhaps we need to develop criterion-referenced procedures for evaluation and to pay less attention to the traditional relative standards. And, certainly, educational programs must be provided in which all students can attain a measure of success. |
