The Role of Students’ Motivation in the Teacher-Student Relationship

• In Event: Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: Teachers, Students, and Assessments: Learning About Global Classrooms

Abstract

This study examined the extent to which teacher-student relationship quality is associated with students’ academic performance and interest in reading and math in a sample of Finnish primary school classrooms. The academic performance and interest in reading and math of 445 Finnish students were measured at the end of their 3rd and 4th Grade. Teachers reported closeness and conflict in their relationship with an individual student at Grade 4. The results showed that the higher interest students reported the more closeness and less conflict teachers reported with them. Conflict was negatively related to students’ subsequent interests and math performance. The results emphasize the importance of students’ motivation for the quality of teacher-student relationship.

Authors

• Eija Pakarinen, University of Jyväskylä

• Marja-Kristiina Lerkkanen, University of Jyväskylä

• Anna-Maija Poikkeus

• Jari-Erik Nurmi