A recent Gallup survey was conducted regarding student engagement, and the findings are cause for reflection.
The fourth annual Gallup Student Poll was conducted in the Fall 2012. According to USA Today, about 500,000 students in fifth through 12th grades across the country participated. Findings show that the longer students are in school, the less engaged in learning they become.
- Nearly 8 out of 10 elementary-age students are engaged in school.
- By middle school, that number falls to 6 out of 10 students.
- By high school, only 4 out of 10 students are engaged in school.
One potential reason for such a dramatic decline? High-stakes testing. Other potential factors include:
- Lack of experiential and project-based learning
- Lack of pathways for students that will not go on to college
- Extreme focus on test scores, which leads to a less-enriched curriculum
- Less time for students to explore areas of their own interests
Clearly, if we want our students to be college and career ready, we have to address the widespread disengagement seen across our country.
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