Demotivator 4: Education System

Demotivator 4: Education System

While many students are blaming the individuals, teachers, and parents, other students start to question the American education system especially the effect of the high-stake testing on students’ motivation and learning. These students believed that high-stake testing, although it might have its benefits, is worsening the “low motivation, high dropping out” problem because 1) it makes the class more boring and monotonous, and 2) it puts a lot of pressure on the students and teachers.

Test-driven class: boring

Problems with the educational system and standardized testing have transformed education into a systematic, strategic, and uninteresting environment for students, contributing to the lack of motivation.—Jacky, Jan 24, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Some middle/high students don't seem to get motivated because school isn’t fun and most of the teachers are drilling the students for the standardized testing. I've heard from my kid that they get frustrate with the same thing over and over again. They don't put any importance to other subjects other then the subject they will be tested on.—Sandy, Jan 24, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

Furthermore, how motivated will the students be if they go only to be drilled over pointless testing such as the TAKS? What are they really learning? They are not learning the fundamentals; they are memorizing strategies and pointless ideas that will more than likely not be used later on in their lives.—Shirley, Jan 28, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

I think the learners are turned off by standardized tests. In Texas we have the T.A.K.S. (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) and that seems to be all that we are focusing on in our classrooms and this is very unfortunate. The state mandates that instead of regular curriculum we have TAKS themed curriculum, this turns me off from learning and I am not the one having to sit at the desk. Simply put dropping out is so high because it is the easy way out. The learner who has been discouraged all thru middle school and high school reaches the minimum age required and then drops out to go and join the cheap labor force. This is sad but is a fact.-- Ry*, Feb 1, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

Test-driven class: pressure of being behind/failure

Going to school for them wouldn’t be as bad if school wouldn’t be so boring and without so much pressure because of all the national testing.—Helen, Jan 28, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

I think that students are not motivated because our system is setting up our students for failure by reminding them everyday that they have to pass the TAKS test in order for them to pass to the next grade level. "Standardized Tests?" How can the system impose a "standardized test" when we are not all standard?—Red, Jan 30, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

One of the factors that is affecting students learning is the pressure of passing the TASK. Students and teachers are worried of scoring high to keep going in the correct path. Nonetheless, students are not learning anything in the long run. The students are being treated to learn for a short term and not preparing them for their future career.—Lidia, Feb 3, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

Middle/high school students are not motivated in school for many reasons. Many of them fall behind during their elementary school years but continue to pass to the next grade level, so when they go to junior or high school, it gets very difficult for them to comprehend what they're being taught. This results in students getting bad grades and not being able to keep up with their work so they give up. The pressure of getting tested and having to pass certain tests in order to be able to pass to the next grade level is another reason why students drop out.—Rose, Jan 25, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

To learn more about Low Motivation, High Dropping Out

Low Motivation, High Dropping Out-- Understanding ...
Demotivator 1: The Individual
Demotivator 2: The Teachers
Demotivator 3: The Parents
Demotivator 4: Education System
Demotivator 5: The Environment
Motivation Solution: Pay them?
Motivation Solution 1 & 2: The Individual & Parent...
Motivation Solution 3: The Teachers
Motivation Solution 4: Education Policy