Student Motivation & Engagement

Education news, analysis, and opinion about efforts to get students involved and active in learning and classroom activities
Students play in the creativity corner during recess at Boys’ Latin School of Maryland on Oct. 24, 2024 in Baltimore, Md.
Students play in the creativity corner during recess at Boys’ Latin School of Maryland in Baltimore on Oct. 24, 2024. When schools offer students more independence and choice, boys in particular tend to thrive, experts say.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
School & District Management How These Schools Get Boys Excited About Learning
These four schools are reimagining their schedules and operations to better serve boys.
Elizabeth Heubeck, January 27, 2025
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2 min read
011725 Boys Charlottesville BS
Middle school boys chat in the hallway at the Community Lab School in Charlottesville, Va. The public charter school prioritizes student autonomy and collaboration, which educators say motivates boys to want to learn.
Courtesy of Don Barnes
Student Well-Being & Movement Middle School Is Tough for Boys. One School Found the 'Secret Sauce' for Success
Hands-on learning, choice, and other evidence-based practices help boys thrive.
Elizabeth Heubeck, January 27, 2025
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9 min read
High school student Aaron Bartsch, 17, helps unload tools from a work van before working in a customer’s home as part of an internship with Barkley Heating and Air in Smyrna, Del., on October 15, 2024.
High schooler Aaron Bartsch, 17, helps unload tools from a work van before working in a customer’s home as part of an internship with Barkley Heating and Air in Smyrna, Del., on Oct. 15, 2024. His high school offers career pathways so students can get a taste of real-world, experiential learning.
Michelle Gustafson for Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness Boys Think School Is a Waste of Time. Career Pathways Prove Them Wrong
Real-world, experiential learning appeals to how boys learn best, educators say.
Elizabeth Heubeck, January 27, 2025
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7 min read
A kindergartener in a play-based learning class prepares for outdoor forest play time at Symonds Elementary School in Keene, N.H. on Nov. 7, 2024.
A kindergartener prepares for outdoor forest play time at Symonds Elementary School in Keene, N.H., on Nov. 7, 2024.
Sophie Park for Education Week
Student Well-Being & Movement From Our Research Center Why School Isn't Working for Many Boys and What Could Help
Teachers report in a new survey that boys are less focused and engaged than their female counterparts.
Elizabeth Heubeck, January 27, 2025
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8 min read
Kindergarteners in a play-based learning class react when asked to find their shadows on the ground while following teacher Jessica Arrow back from forest play time at Symonds Elementary School in Keene, N.H., on Nov. 7, 2024.
Kindergarteners react when asked to find their shadows on the ground while following teacher Jessica Arrow back from forest play time at Symonds Elementary School in Keene, N.H., on Nov. 7, 2024.
Sophie Park for Education Week
Early Childhood Kindergarten Play Makes a Comeback, and Boys Benefit
The modern kindergarten has little time for movement and play. Not so in this teacher's classroom.
Elizabeth Heubeck, January 27, 2025
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9 min read
A student sits quietly, contemplating life while others chat nearby in a bustling school hallway.
iStock/Getty
Families & the Community Parents Think Their Kids Are Learning a Lot at School. What Do Students Say?
The perception gap between parents and their kids widens as students get older. Does it matter?
Caitlynn Peetz Stephens, January 24, 2025
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5 min read
Tue., January 21, 2025, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
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Teaching Opinion How Teachers Can Care for Their Students and Themselves This Year (Downloadable)
A veteran teacher suggests 8 essential practices to benefit everyone in the classroom.
Justin Parmenter, January 15, 2025
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1 min read
Mathematics Spotlight Spotlight on Innovative Approaches to Math Engagement
This Spotlight will help you discover how to create motivating classroom environments, connect math to potential careers, and more.
January 15, 2025
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion Student Motivation Is a Perennial Concern. What Are We Missing?
Even if we want to achieve a goal, there are reasons why we don't. This can explain what's happening with students.
Larry Ferlazzo, January 15, 2025
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5 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion Teachers Are Faced With Constant Challenges. Here's How to Overcome Them
Three veteran educators offer their expert guidance on how to manage even the toughest classroom scenarios.
Larry Ferlazzo, January 7, 2025
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9 min read
Classroom Technology Spotlight Spotlight on EdTech
This Spotlight will help you learn how to teach digital literacy skills, evaluate edtech tools effectively, and more.
December 20, 2024
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion 5 Ways to Up Your Classroom Game, According to Larry Ferlazzo
Stop telling your students what to do and other ideas from a veteran teacher to his colleagues.
Larry Ferlazzo, December 10, 2024
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4 min read
Centering students in the school community.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion I Invited Students to Help Hire a New Assistant Principal. Here’s What Happened
What began as an opportunity for the students turned into a gift for our administrative team.
S. Kambar Khoshaba, December 3, 2024
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3 min read
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