Motivation Matters
Motivation Matters covered what works, and what doesn’t work, to motivate students to do better in school. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: student motivation & engagement.
Education
Wasting Time?
It’s summer, so that means the annual bashing of the traditional school break has begun.
School & District Management
Bored Perhaps, But Learning
I’ve already heard more than a few times the dreaded words of a child in the midst of summer break: “I’m bored.” Or my daughter’s version: “I’m Sooooo bored!” Of course the complaint is not an accurate reflection of summer vacation for many middle- and upper-income children, who have a wealth of activities lined up to keep them busy until the next school bell.
Education
Who Should Teach 'Soft Skills'?
There's a lot of talk lately about how schools should be teaching so-called "soft skills," such as punctuality, respect for deadlines, working well with others, and time management. Undoubtedly, these are very important skills and most of them are all about motivation.
Recruitment & Retention
Pay for Performance
Barry Schwartz, a psychology professor at Swarthmore College, wrote a fascinating op-ed piece in the New York Times this week about New York City's plan to pay students up to $500 for doing well in school. Mr. Schwartz argues that offering external perks to students can actually be detrimental in the long run because the expectation of rewards replaces the intrinsic satisfaction students receive from learning.
Science
Why Do People Resist Science?
The Science After School blog links to an article that asks the question: Why Do Some People Resist Science?
Education
Getting Rid of Rank
I've seen a ton of articles this graduation season about schools choosing to do away with class rank. For example, from today: "Schools playing down valedictorian honors." The whole thing's become too competitive, school leaders and parents say. But for many high schoolers, being at the top—or at least near the top—is a strong motivation to get good grades and take accelerated courses (if their school gives them extra weight when calculating rank). It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.
Recruitment & Retention
Turning Down a Free Ride?
Twenty years ago, George Weiss and his then-wife, Diane, offered an entire class of 6th graders an opportunity that would make many students green with envy. Finish high school, the Weisses said, and we'll pay for your college education.
Education
Passion for Learning
Fascinating discussion going on between Diane Ravitch and Deborah Meier on their Bridging Differences blog. They are talking about what might entice today's students to work harder and have a greater passion for learning. Check it out here.
Recruitment & Retention
Key to Success?
For Benton Central High School junior Courtney Lavelle, the key to success was simply showing up.
Assessment
AP Expectations
The typical expectation of many people is that when more students are taking tougher courses the academic rigor of those courses is likely to decline to meet the lower standards of the masses.
School & District Management
Chatting About Helping African-American Boys
I frequently go back and read the transcripts from the chats we run on edweek.org. The questions alone highlight how desperately educators are seeking answers to their problems. The answers from our featured guests try to point people in the right direction toward solving those problems.
College & Workforce Readiness
No Longer Guaranteed?
Texas high school students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their class would no longer be guaranteed a spot at a flagship state university under legislation the Texas House tentatively approved capping those admissions, according to the Associated Press.
College & Workforce Readiness
"Maybe I would have stayed in school"
A Motivation Matters reader alerted me to a thoughtful interview that KMOX Radio in St. Louis recently did with Claire Wyneken of the Wyman Center, which is working to help reduce the dropout rate in the St. Louis area through outreach and a focus on helping teenagers develop better long-term relationships with adults.
Recruitment & Retention
Passion to Succeed
An article in USA Today, "Passion fuels seniors' ability to achieve," raises interesting questions about what motivates some of the nation's top-performing high schoolers.