Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to investigate academic and psychological
characteristics of Oromia Development Association Special Boarding School (ODASBS)
students. To this end, a descriptive survey method was employed. Purdue Academic Rating Scale
(PARS) andthe PWB Scale were used to gather data. Eighty ODASBS students (Male = 46,
Female = 34) were selected through random sampling technique from grades 11- 12.The main
data gathering instrument was questionnaire. The obtained data through questionnaire were
analyzed using descriptive statistics frequency, percentile, and mean. The academic
characteristics of students were rated by subject-teachers of science, mathematics, English
language and social studies. Results of rating students’ academic and psychological
characteristics showed that ODASBS students were at excellent level in academic characteristics
in science, mathematics and English whereas at a strong average in social studies. Out of the
maximum possible rating scores, this study revealed that the academic and psychological
characteristics rated as from very high to medium for science, mathematics, English language
and social studies subjects, respectively. Result of this study showed that there was positive and
momentous. Science academic performance was the most important academic performance
characteristics and in all subject, ODASBS students not ever fell under average performance.
The school Administrations, social studies teachers and students should give stress to social
studies as equal as other Science subjects and mathematics.
