Contributions of School Factors on Students’ Engagement and Disengagement in Middle and High School

• In Event: Poster Session 5
  In Poster Session: Motivational Processes Related to Goals, Emotions, Interest, and Self-Regulation

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to examine the individual contributions of school and teacher factors on students’ engagement and disengagement from middle and high school. Findings from a survey of 1,860 students in middle and high schools from across the country indicated that both middle and high school students, interest in classwork seemed to be the highest positive predictor of engaging in school, but also a significant negative predictor of disengagement. Students’ sense of the importance of classwork also predicted all four measures of engagement in school. These findings may lead school reform efforts to examine changes that can be made in the classroom to make school work more interesting and meaningful.

Authors

• Marcia H. Davis, Johns Hopkins University

• Julie Ryals, Johns Hopkins University