Teacher Positivity and Engagement in Math and Science

• In Event: 65.079 - Roundtable Session 23
  In Roundtable Session: 65.079-11 - Teacher Engagement, Practices, and Knowledge in Mathematics and Science

Abstract

Supportive teacher student relationships are associated with increased levels of engagement and higher levels of achievement. Yet, studies also show that there is a strong association between students’ performance and teacher support; higher achieving students typically receive the most encouragement. Moreover, many studies of teacher-student relationships pertain to elementary and middle school students; by the time students reach high school, interactions with specific teachers may not be salient determinants of engagement. In this study we examine the relationship between supportive relationships with teachers and engagement in high school math and science courses. Data on teacher positivity and engagement collected concurrently from a student’s math and science teacher respectively, allow us to examine the within-student association between supportive relationships and engagement

Authors

• Sean P. Kelly, University of Pittsburgh

• Yuan Zhang, University of Pittsburgh