This study examines the relations between the perception of control (perceived control) and academic achievement of children in poverty. Sixty-one first graders, 30 boys and 31 girls, seven to eight yearsold, responded to scale of perceived control (CAMI Control, Agency, and Means-Ends Interview), that evaluates children's control expectancy, agency beliefs, and means-ends beliefs related to their school performance. School achievement was measured by an Academic Performance Test (TOE) and school assessments for passinglfalling students for the school year. Correlational analyses showed a significant linear relation between perceived control and academic achievement. Analysis of variance revealed differences in perceived control between age and gender groups.
Perceived control; Academic achievement; Poverty
