I have a clear understanding of the struggles, issues, and challenges of children and adolescents attending competitive schools in the Philadelphia Metropolitan area. My dissertation was entitled The Relationship Between Attributional Style and Cognitive Distortions in Underachieving Students. The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of expectancies of underachieving students at a Philadelphia high school.Based upon my research, I have been focusing on the development of new support programs for students at risk of academic failure. I work with parents who are frustrated with their children with regard to their lack of interest and focus in completing academic responsibilities. Together in therapy we will work on key issues which may be stifling academic progress.