| Using a theoretical framework of adolescent social capital, this study examines what one middle school does or does not do to help the students at the school make friends and acquaintances. After reviewing the related literature on adolescent social capital, social network theory, social goal motivation, and best practices middle school structures, the study identifies the social connections of a specific group of middle school students in order to answer the following questions: (1) how and where students develop peer friendships and acquaintanceships and (2) what specific structures (recommended by middle school research) promote or hinder the development of positive social relationships and networks in this building? The data was analyzed using a social network program, Agna, to look for patterns in general and by gender. A subset of the surveyed students was then interviewed to determine, from students' perspectives, how those practices do or do not help students get to know each other. Finally, based on the findings, recommendations are suggested for the middle school under study and for schools with similar characteristics. |
