Students Reveal What Impacts Their Motivation in New Report
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) March 17, 2014 -- A new report reveals what happens when schools focus on student motivation and listen to student voice. Released today at the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Annual Conference, the 2013 My Voice National Student Report found that 77% of students put forth their best effort at school and 91% say good grades are important.
The My Voice National Student Report highlights the responses from nearly 60,000 students surveyed from 200 schools across the United States in grades 6-12. The Student Summary takes a deeper look at what motivates students in their own words. The data was collected through the My Voice Student Survey, which was developed by the Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations (QISA) and administered by the Pearson Foundation’s My Voice initiative. The survey is grounded in the proven framework of 8 Conditions that Make a Difference created by QISA.
This survey aims to identify the keys to academic success and motivation. Understanding the results, unique to each school, allows educators and administrators the ability to develop action plans that harness student potential and address the areas that need improvement.
Some of the encouraging results include:
• 80 percent of students enjoy learning new things
• 82 percent of students know the kind of person they want to become
• 79 percent of students believe what they learn in school will benefit them in the future
Some of the more troubling results include:
• 58 percent of sixth grade students said bullying is a problem in their school
• 50 percent of twelfth grade students say school is boring
• 58 percent of students do not feel supported by their peers
There are many lessons to be learned from the results of the My Voice National Student Report and trends to address. The empowerment and realization of student voice continues to be one of the predictors for student success in school and following graduation.
“A lot of students feel that the teachers at school aren’t trying to help them succeed,” said Raven, a high school student from South Carolina. “I want to find a way to get students more academically motivated. I want them to understand that education is here to help us learn and achieve our goals.”
“We must listen and learn from students and be prepared to act,” said Dr. Russell J. Quaglia, the president and founder of QISA. “The results of the 2013 My Voice National Student Report affirm that the real challenge lies in listening carefully to what they are telling us, reflecting upon it and learning from it.”
“During the past several years we have seen more attention paid to what students are saying and how that impacts their success,” said Pearson Foundation President and CEO Mark Nieker. “This is definitely a step in the right direction, but there is more to be done, we must continue to listen to student voice and use it to create better schools.”
For more information about the My Voice National Student Report and My Voice Surveys, visit myvoice.pearsonfoundation.org. Be a part of the Student Voice conversation online via Twitter: @MyVoiceListens, @DrRussQ and @MyVoiceListens.
About the Pearson Foundation
The Pearson Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that aims to make a difference by promoting literacy, learning and great teaching. The Foundation collaborates with leading businesses, nonprofits and education experts to share good practice; foster innovation; and find workable solutions to the educational disadvantages facing young people and adults across the globe.
About My Voice
My Voice is a Pearson Foundation initiative that aims to measure the perceptions of everyone at school, elevate the impact of student voice and foster the changes that are vital for students to realize academic, social and personal success.
About the Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations
The Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and putting into practice the conditions that foster student aspirations in schools and learning communities around the world.
Stacey Finkel, Pearson Foundation, http://www.pearsonfoundation.org, +1 (703) 304-1377, [email protected]
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