Student Engagement

Tony Frontier, PhDCardinal Stritch University

EMOTIONAL BEHAVIORALCOGNITIVE

EMOTIONAL ENGAGEMENTStudent sense of support and belonging

Cognitive Engagement Motivational goals, relevance, and self-regulated learning

Behavioral EngagementOn-task academic behavior and student conduct

Middle School Engagement N=383

All Students

Items with highest % of Strongly Agree/Agree responses SA/AIf I work hard I can do well in my classes. 95%It is important to work hard in school. 95%When I’m in school, I follow this school’s rules. 89%

Items with lowest % of Strongly Agree/Agree responses SA/ASometimes I like doing my schoolwork so much that time passes by very quickly.

33%

I like talking to my teaches about what I’m learning about in school.

35%

I enjoy my schoolwork. 37%

Tosa Middle Schools

Middle School EngagementCorrelates to Grades

Items with the highest correlation to grades.

Tosa Middle Schools

Highest Correlates to Grades Correlation

My assignments completed and turned in on time. .62

I am proud of my schoolwork. .44

I am good at math. .40

Adults in this school are proud of me. .34

My teachers would say that I participate in class. .29

Middle School EngagementGender

There were statistically significant differences between males and females on many items.

Tosa Middle Schools

Items with Largest Gender Gap by % Strongly Agree/Agree F/M

I enjoy my schoolwork. 44%/30%

I do my best work in school when my teacher encourages me to do so.

86%/74%

I enjoy my classes in this school. 67%/57%

Middle School EngagementGrade level

Significant differences across grades 6 through 8.*

*Items differences across grades are very stable relative to comparison middle schools.

Tosa Middle Schools

Items with Largest Grade Level Gap by % Strongly Agree/Agree 6th / 8th

If there were no grades in this school I would still do my schoolwork.

63%/39%

I know an adult I could talk to if I had a personal problem. 83%/70%

I enjoy my classes in this school. 70%/60%

Middle School EngagementRace

Across the MS survey, there were significant differences on about 1/3 of the items between white and African-American students.

Tosa Middle Schools

Items with Largest White/African-American Gap by % Strongly Agree/Agree

AA/White

When I’m in this school I follow this school’s rules 74%/92%

I am good at math 60%/77%

I am proud of my schoolwork 70%/85%

My classmates care about me 70%/81%

Adults in this school are proud of me 70%/81%

Differences by Type of EngagementCognitiveEngagement

EmotionalEngagement

Behavioral Engagement

Gender; F,M * * *Grade; Level - 6,7,8 * * *Race; White-Af. Amer. * *

* Means statistically significant different in mean score for each composite item. Group in bold had higher score for each item.

Tosa Middle Schools

Some Similarities and DifferencesAfrican-American/White

Items with Similar Distributions Items with Differences in Distributions

My classes are interesting to me Grades

In my classes I need to think creatively I am good at math

I enjoy my schoolwork

I think what I learn in my classes will help me be successful in lifeAspirations to attend college

Parent expectations to attend college

Survey items with the strongest POSITIVErelationship to reported grades

% responsesB / W

1. Attended class with all assignments complete. Often 36% / 65%

2.I am motivated to work by a desire to get good grades.

A/SA 85% / 91%

I place a high value on learning. A/SA 79% / 84%

4. I feel good about who I am as a student. A/SA 79% / 79%

5. I put forth a great deal of effort in my schoolwork.

SA 37% / 49%

6. I have the skills and abilities to complete my schoolwork.

coll+ 87% / 87%

7. I put forth a great deal of effort in my work. A/SA 70% / 71%

8. I value the reward of schooling. 6+ 19% / 32%

9. How often do you ask/answer questions in class?

Most 12% / 10%

10. How often have you eaten breakfast in the morning?

A/SA 67% / 65%

High School

Survey items with the strongest POSITIVErelationship to reported grades

Correlation

1. Attended class with all assignments complete. .52

2.I am motivated to work by a desire to get good grades.

.48

3. I place a high value on learning. .47

4. I feel good about who I am as a student. .42

5. I put forth a great deal of effort in my schoolwork.

.42

6. I have the skills and abilities to complete my schoolwork.

.41

7. I put forth a great deal of effort in my work. .41

8. I value the rewards of schooling. .41

9. How often do you ask/answer questions in class?

.35

10. How often have you eaten breakfast in the morning?

.32

Tosa High Schools

Survey items with the strongest NEGATIVErelationship to reported grades

Correlation

1. How often have you: attended class with no assignments -.44

2. How often have you picked on or bullied another student? -.19

3. In how many of your classes do you put forth very little effort? -.18

4. How much time do you spend each week talking on a cell phone? -.19

5. How important to you: working for pay? -.12

Tosa High Schools Data

Largest Differences: White vs. BlackWhite students were more likely to….1. More likely to have eaten breakfast

2. More likely to believe school rules are fair

3. More likely to feel supported by teachers

4. Feel good about their school

5. More likely to care about this school

6. Feel safe at school

7. Believe their teachers think they can do excellent work

Tosa High Schools Data

Largest Differences: Black vs. WhiteBlack students were more likely to….1. Believe school developed career goals

2. Spend time on test prep

3. Cite importance of talking to friends

4. Cite importance of talking on cell phone

5. Feel school increased awareness of things happening outside their community.

Tosa High Schools Data