Low Motivation, High Dropping Out-- Understanding High School Student Motivation

Low Motivation, High Dropping Out--
Understanding High School Student Motivation

Introduction

You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink - but you can salt its oats!

According to cognitive psychologist Jean Piaget, we, as human beings, were born with the curiosity and the desire to learn and master the environment around us. For example, Infants and young children are propelled by curiosity, driven by an intense need to explore, interact with, and make sense of their environment. "Rarely does one hear parents complain that their pre-schooler is 'unmotivated' " (Raffini, 1993).

However, as children grow, their passion for learning frequently seems to shrink. Learning often becomes associated with drudgery instead of delight. Statistics shows that in several of the largest school systems across the country -- from Baltimore to Cleveland to Atlanta and Oakland, Calif. -- half of the students are dropping out. A recent study by the Department of Education found that 31 percent of American students were dropping out or failing to graduate in the nation's largest 100 public school districts. It is estimated that about 2,500 students drop out of U.S. high schools every day (ABC News, Nov 20, 2006).

The implications from dropping out of high school are enormous, including a higher risk of poverty and even an abbreviated life span. When students drop out of high school, their chances of running afoul of the law increase. Nationally, 68 percent of state prison inmates are school dropouts (ABC News, Nov 20, 2006).

The situation in the Valley is not better. According to Nina, an undergraduate from EDCI 4322-60, high school student drop out rate seems to continue to increase year to year. “It’s sad that being the most powerful country in the world, we are below the other countries in certain basic subjects. For example years ago the United States would rank number one in mathematics and today we are below China and Japan.” Said Helen, an undergraduate student from EDCI 4322-01 class.

Here in Brownsville, I believe that along the way some students, after elementary school, lose one of these motivational assets and find it harder to continue.—Cavin, Jan 30, 2008, EDCI 4322-60

A high majority of high school students seem to have a lack of motivation when it comes to school. All you have to do is look at the dropping-out rate and the proof is self-evident. Today, the public school system is experiencing a large number of drop-outs, and teachers are beginning to feel more and more powerless about that issue.-- Maricela Gonzalez, Jan 25, 2008, EDCI 4322-01

In order to motivate students to learn, At Creekside High School near Atlanta, Georgia, an experimental program targeting promising students with low grades is paying each student eight dollars an hour for them to learn math and science. This idea came from Newt Gingrich, who heads the LEARNING MAKES A DIFFERENCE FOUNDATION program (CNN News, Jan 30, 2008).

Why are high school students not motivated? Should we pay them to learn? If no, what are the alternative solutions to the high school “low motivation, high dropping out” problem? This week, the JOCTL will continue our exploration on motivation focusing specifically on high school students. Through class discussion and student reflection, students identified at least five different demotivators for high school student “low motivation, high dropping out” problem: the individual, the teacher, the parents, the education system, and the environment. Solutions on how to address this problem are also provided.

It is important to note that all the comments and suggestions are made by our students based on their own personal school experiences and not through systematic research. Therefore, most of the suggestions/solutions could be biased and are only suggestive. Once again, we welcome all honest feedback from you and we look forward to explore this issue deeper with you.

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