Come Together: How Researchers and Educational Administrators Can Find Solutions to the Student Motivation Crisis

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

Student motivation constitutes a critical problem in education. Research shows pervasive declines in many students’ motivation and engagement across the school years and disparities across racial and income groups. These changes and the disparities they create can be linked to school practices, structures, and policies that undermine student motivation. This session brings together a group of five eminent school-focused researchers and two high-level administrators from large urban school districts to discuss student motivation and to consider ways to collaborate to address motivation challenges. The panel will share successes and challenges in working collaboratively and will provide recommendations to redress the declines in student motivation.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Chairs

• Erika Alisha Patall, University of Southern California

• Allan L. Wigfield, University of Maryland - College Park

Participants

• Carol Alexander, Claremont Graduate University

• Eric M. Anderman, The Ohio State University

• Sandra Graham, University of California - Los Angeles

• Ritu Khanna, San Francisco Unified School District

• Jelena Obradovic, Stanford University

• Robert Pianta, University of Virginia

• Barbara Schneider, Michigan State University

Discussants

• Erika Alisha Patall, University of Southern California

• Allan L. Wigfield, University of Maryland - College Park