Effects of Learning Strategies and Growth Mindset on Students’ Achievement in Southern Belize: An Experimental Study

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of learning strategies and growth mindset on first-form students’ academic performance using a randomized pretest-posttest waitlist control group design. The treatment group consisted of 34 students and the control group had 32 students on a waitlist. The effect of intervention workshops promoting the development of learning strategies and growth mindset on students' integrated science test scores was measured. Results indicated a positive impact of learning strategies and a growth mindset on first-form students’ academic performance. Results from Independent Samples t-tests confirmed that students in the experimental group experienced an increase in growth mindset and learning strategies which contributed to increased academic performance. Schools can incorporate the findings from this study into decision-making that includes: promoting a growth mindset and learning strategies, and increasing awareness among stakeholders about the positive effect of learning strategies and growth mindset on students’ academic performance.