How can K-12 educators promote student engagement in the classroom?
According to our 2024 Challenge Success Student Voice Report, only 13% of students report being fully engaged in school. A similar percentage of students report disengagement, while 45% of students report simply “doing school,” meaning they are going through the motions and getting their work done, but not finding schoolwork valuable or enjoyable.
The focus today on extrinsic measures of success, such as GPAs, college acceptances, and ultimately financial status, can dampen students’ intrinsic motivation and engagement. It can lead to a system that prioritizes high grades above all else, including learning. Our research demonstrates a clear relationship between students’ perceptions of classroom practices and their levels of engagement. In response, we have compiled evidence-based strategies that educators can implement to strengthen student engagement by refining both instructional and assessment practices.