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PEPSI Screening: An Analysis of Student’s Progress and Behavior

Ryan Lasala

College of Southern Nevada

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Abstract

This case study sought to observe and analyze PEPSI standards and a first-grade

student’s ability to meet or exceed standards. Through out the study, it was observed that the

individual failed to meet standards but, drastically improved over the six-month period. In terms

of physical attributes, the student appeared to have a great vision impairment, was of small

stature, and was of a low weight. Their emotional stability was fragile in month 1 but, they

became more able to cope with difficult and new challenges academically and socially at month

6. During the six-month period, the subject’s test scores in mathematics increased from an

average of 60% to 90% given individual assistance at a private learning center. Social skills also

improved as student was more willing to engage with peers and instructors. Independence was

also developed throughout the six-month period. Student showed overall development and

progress in all PEPSI aspects.

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PEPSI Screening: An Analysis of Student’s Progress and Behavior

The subject1 is currently in first grade, with a height of 3’5” and a weight of 40 lbs.

Ethnicity is half Filipino and Italian. Subject has brown hair and hazel eyes. Subject currently

presents issues with basic social interactions, testing anxiety, as well as separation anxiety.

Student’s primary language is English but understand the Filipino dialect Tagalog

Analysis of Physical Development

Subject’s stature appears underdeveloped and would be placed into the 14th percentile. A

slight delay in physical development was observed over a duration of one year. Subject often

complained of fatigue by mid-afternoon and consistently appeared to have dark circles. Dark

circles may be indicative of lack of restful or adequate REM sleep and possible fluid retention.

When asked to read aloud, student exhibited signs of a possible speech impediment (i.e.

stuttering and a slight lisp). Attempts to read with speed and accuracy, resulted in failure to

adequately pronounce the following vowel sounds/combinations: oa, ur, ou, and ey. Fine motor

skills were also lacking and subject had a tendency to write large to accommodate vision

impairment. Through assessments evaluating subject’s physical abilities, subject proved to be

capable of activities requiring hand-eye coordination such as catching, throwing, and kicking a

ball. Fine motor skills were further developed at home as subject was required to complete the

following tasks: putting laundry into a hamper, assisting with cleaning dishes, and folding small

clothing items. Parent’s have informed that subject did have asthma when born but soon grown

out of symptoms.

1
To protect the identity of the subject, the student’s name is not provided.
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Analysis of Emotional Development1

Emotional stability seems fragile as subject often presents with a dependence upon

parents to aid in comfort. When left to subject’s own devices, they were incapable of making

sound decisions or deriving answers given learning materials. Subject is dependent upon

constant affirmation that they have accurately answered questions or have satisfactorily

completed the assignment. Subject is hypersensitive to criticisms and responds to any comment

made by instructor regardless of if it is directed at them. Sense of self and surroundings are

highly under-developed. They consider themselves to be more intellectually able than what is

reflected in verbal and written forms of communication as well as math and reading assessments.

Signs of compassion towards other students and relativity is constantly shown during

discussions. In a group setting such as story time, subject always shows interest in literature by

showing inquisitive traits and relating to past experiences. Subject enjoys to conversate about

what they have done the previous day and what their plan is for the next day.

Analysis of Philosophical Development.

Subject thinks highly of themselves and often accuses instructors of being incorrect. They

lack understanding of their actual abilities. The idea of success for the subject relates to finishing

in a timely manner compared to accuracy which leads to numerous mistakes when doing math.

For example, the student may perceive there is a pattern when an addition set is randomized and

continues to add according to their assumed pattern. The student reflects on other’s opinions of

progression rather than competency of the material at hand. Subject choose to blame others for

mistakes made and creates justification towards his actions. According to information found in

Snowman, Jack and McCown, Rick (2015) Psychology Applied to Teaching (14th ed), children

are encouraged industry, use praise as fulfillment and avoids criticism within the ages six to eight
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years of age. If peer seems to be having difficulty with task at hand, subject tends to lend

assistance or provide essential supplies to have others succeed.

Analysis of Social Behavior.

Interaction between subject and other students tended to be little to none when placed

together. Subject was introverted and appeared apathetic/disinterested when placed in social

settings amongst peers. When subject was placed in a two-to-one instructional teaching, subject

was generous often offering to supply a fellow student with missing materials. After adapting to

a daily educational routine over a three-month period, student managed to work more

independently and had little interaction with the instructor to confirm and assure them that

answers were correct. Some social and testing anxieties were alleviated but, student still has

apprehension towards new subject material and new instructors. Student appears more confident

with their work. While in a classroom setting, student is introverted but, outside they are very

social and enjoy interactions with their peers. Grading assignments before subject leaves extra-

curricular activity displays impatience if not finished in a timely manner before going home.

Analysis of Intellectual Abilities and Development.

Subject’s vernacular is limited and as a result, they asked “what does this mean?” through

out reading assignments. Throughout duration of study, subject tends to find pattern throughout

math facts and skips around, later this strategy would be eliminated due to inconsistency of

accuracy and soon learned to do facts top to bottom. Subject throughout study has been

progressing within math test score average each month shown in Graph 1.2. When trying to

focus on speed, child tends to create few mistakes, but catches them easily and corrects them.

Conduction of sentences still has grammatical errors from capitalization of capitalization,

punctuation, and spelling. Developmental Study First Grade by Robin Keller, Stacey Hembree,
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LeAnee Carroll states the view of schoolwork being seen as spontaneous play and take interest in

work that deal with cooperation projects, activities, and tasks. From first observation until

current date, subject tends to be more independent at home according to parents. “In the past,

subject would ask question to on every homework. Now, he has become more independent and

created certain studying habits to keep him focused and independent.” Skills mastered at a first-

grade level include counting forward/backwards from 1-100, addition, shape identification,

money values, and time.

Conclusion

Throughout this study, there has been a great amount of progress. Subject has

started to eliminate frequency of asking questions as much as before. Throughout duration of

study, student has gotten better vision due to prescribed glasses. Within previous observation,

Graph 1.1 from Nutureandthriveblog.com explains some of how some sensitive traits have

diminished in vision, hearing, and peer social skills that relates to subject’s behavior. This

development is caused by brain development throughout the ages 2.5 and 7. Teacher and parents

have both agreed since the beginning of kindergarten through halfway into first grade there has

been more activity when it comes to socializing. Adults notice subject has been more active and

helpful towards kids inside the classroom and tries within best of abilities to get all classmates

involved. By doing so, this created less dependence towards parents and instructors while doing

classwork/homework. Student’s physically looks healthier due to the change of sleep schedule

parents chose to take initiative after noticing dark circles and tiredness within a classroom

setting.
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References

Keller, R., Hambree, S., & Carrol, L. A. (n.d.). Developmental Study of First Grade. Retrieved

October 25, 2019, from

https://ltl.appstate.edu/436/student/grlevcase/firstgrddevstudy.html.

Nurtureandthriveblog. (2019, March 16). Signs Of a Growth Spurt Every Parent Should Know!

Retrieved October 27, 2019, from https://nurtureandthriveblog.com/signs-of-a-growth-

spurt-in-childhood/.

Snowman, J., & McCown, R. R. (2015). Psychology applied to teaching. Australia: Cengage
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Graph 1.1

Graph 1.1 Looking at trends in brain growth, kids go through these cycles of equilibrium and

conflict. The height of each one of these colorful lines suggests an extreme period of growth of

those skills in the brain areas. For instance, in the field of peer communication skills from 2.5 to

7 years, we see intense development in the brain. Childhood development may be unique from

what was projected. Social anxiety and pressure are not only an emotion or an action, it also

reflect current physiological changes.

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Graph 1.2

100
90
Test Scores in Mathematics

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1 2 3 4 5 6
Months

Subject's Grade Average Grade

Graph 1.2. Graph indicates correlation between student’s test scores vs a six-month period.

As observed in the graph, subject starts from 60% and increase throughout a six-month period of

30%. With time passing, test score in mathematics also increase as teacher expects test

percentages to rise. By then end of study, student is only 7% away from targeted test score.

Teacher also added that he she has seen subject improve immensely in other categories to such as

reading and writing.