Engaging Schools

When it comes to motivating people to learn, disadvantaged urban adolescents are usually perceived as a hard sell. Yet, in a recent MetLife survey, 89 percent of the low-income students claimed a /I really want to learna applied to them. What is it about the school environmenta "pedagogy, curriculum, climate, organizationa "that encourages or discourages engagement in school activities? How do peers, family, and community affect adolescentsa (TM) attitudes towards learning? Engaging Schools reviews current research on what shapes adolescentsa (TM) school engagement and motivation to learna "including new findings on studentsa (TM) sense of belonginga "and looks at ways these can be used to reform urban high schools. This book discusses what changes hold the greatest promise for increasing studentsa (TM) motivation to learn in these schools. It looks at various approaches to reform through different methods of instruction and assessment, adjustments in school size, vocational teaching, and other key areas. Examples of innovative schools, classrooms, and out-of-school programs that have proved successful in getting high school kids excited about learning are also included.