Student Motivation & Engagement

Education news, analysis, and opinion about efforts to get students involved and active in learning and classroom activities
Image shows a multi-tailed arrow hitting the bullseye of a target.
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Student Well-Being & Movement Opinion What's Behind the Explosion in Student Absenteeism?
Kids aren’t returning to school after COVID. What are the implications for policy and practice?
Rick Hess, June 11, 2024
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8 min read
Connor Allen, of Cranberry, Pa. picks his character before a round of "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate" during the Steel City Showdown esports tournament at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, on May 11, 2019 in Pittsburgh.
Students get ready before an esports tournament at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, on May 11, 2019 in Pittsburgh.
Alexandra Wimley/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP
School Climate & Safety Gaming Is Part of Teen Life. These Districts Use It for Better Student Outcomes
Scholastic esports is attracting students who would otherwise not participate in extracurricular activities.
Lauraine Langreo, June 7, 2024
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4 min read
Lots arrows missed hitting target mark and only one hits the center. If at first you don't succeed, try again!
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + iStock/Getty Images
Student Achievement Opinion How Winning the National Spelling Bee Prepared Me for High School
Studying for the bee was overwhelming at times, but the academic and emotional benefits have been invaluable, writes 9th grader Dev Shah.
Dev Shah, May 28, 2024
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4 min read
Photo illustration of teen girl working on soldering board.
F. Sheehan for Education Week + iStock / Getty Images Plus
Special Report Motivating All Students to Be STEM Problem Solvers
Motivating students in STEM-related classes can be difficult. But competency and confidence in STEM subjects is important for everyone.
May 28, 2024
Photo illustration of chemistry teacher working with young student.
F. Sheehan for Education Week + E+ / Getty
Science From Our Research Center Educators: Start Early to Keep Students Engaged in STEM
The EdWeek Research Center asked teachers, principals, and district leaders how to motivate kids to pursue STEM learning.
Kevin Bushweller, May 28, 2024
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2 min read
Seniors at Thurgood Marshall Academic High School in San Francisco practice the use of a pipette as part of a STEM initiative on April 29, 2024.
Seniors at Thurgood Marshall Academic High School in San Francisco practice the use of a pipette as part of a STEM initiative on April 29, 2024.
Peter Prato for Education Week
College & Workforce Readiness The Motivational Power of STEM: This Program Connects Students to Potential Careers
It's not just about motivation—it's about providing supports for kids to study STEM subjects.
Lauraine Langreo, May 28, 2024
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8 min read
Photo illustration of young boy working on math problem.
F. Sheehan for Education Week + iStock / Getty Images Plus
Mathematics Young Students Gravitate to Math. How Teachers Can Build on That Curiosity
A focus on rich, real-world problems makes math more interesting, relevant, and enticing to students.
Alyson Klein, May 28, 2024
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8 min read
Photo illustration of teen boy working with model.
F. Sheehan for Education Week + E+ / Getty
Student Achievement How Teachers Build Confidence to Motivate Middle Schoolers in STEM
Sixth through eighth grade marks a shift in what motivates students, presenting a big challenge for science and math teachers.
Arianna Prothero, May 28, 2024
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8 min read
052024 OPINION Khoshaba PRINCIPAL end the year with positivity
E+/Getty + Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
School & District Management Opinion I Invited My Students to Be the Principal for a Day. Here’s What I Learned
When I felt myself slipping into a springtime slump, this simple activity reminded me of my “why” as an educator.
S. Kambar Khoshaba, May 21, 2024
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4 min read
Students from Centreville Elementary School in Fairfax, Va., release brook trout they’ve grown from eggs in their classroom into Passage Creek at Elizabeth Furnace Recreational Area in the George Washington National Forest in Fort Valley, Va. on April 23.
Students from Centreville Elementary School in Fairfax, Va., release brook trout that they’ve grown from eggs in their classroom at a creek in Fort Valley, Va., on April 23.
Sam Mallon/Education Week
Curriculum Outdoor Learning: The Ultimate Student Engagement Hack?
Outdoor learning offers a host of evidence-based benefits for students. One Virginia school serves as an example how.
Elizabeth Heubeck, May 7, 2024
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7 min read
Student reading at a desk with their head on their hand.
Canva
Student Well-Being & Movement Download How to Spot and Combat Student Apathy: A Teacher Resource
A guide to help teachers recognize and address apathy in the classroom.
Laura Baker & Madeline Will, May 7, 2024
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1 min read
Kid Characters Observe Sky with Moon, Milky Way and Reach for the stars!
iStock/Getty Images
Teaching Opinion 4 Ways to Use Student Curiosity to Deepen Learning
These intentional shifts in the classroom can help teachers foster engagement and inquiry, writes a learning specialist.
Ben Talsma, May 1, 2024
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4 min read
Thu., May 23, 2024, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
School Climate & Safety K-12 Essentials Forum Strengthen Students’ Connections to School
Join this free event to learn how schools are creating the space for students to form strong bonds with each other and trusted adults.
Register
May 23, 2024
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
Teaching Opinion 5 Simple Tips for Making an Outsized Impact on Students
There are a few things you can do at the start of a lesson to build student trust.
Larry Ferlazzo, April 24, 2024
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10 min read
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