Motivation

As a member of the Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP), I receive weekly updates regarding education news. This past Friday I received an update that contained a link to an article regarding students' college readiness. The Alliance for Excellent Education (AEE) issued a brief, using ACT information, that stated high school students are too often not prepared for college. They feel,
"high school standards, assessments, and course requirements are not aligned with those of colleges." Another quote from the article said,

"To prepare students for success in college, panelists said, teachers must
believe that all--and not just a few--students can succeed; make honors courses
available as electives for all students; create rigorous work assignments using
collaboration and problem-solving; teach reading comprehension and writing
skills; and, most of all, motivate students to achieve."

It's been my observation that motivating students to achieve may be the most difficult of those ideas for teachers. I also believe it's unfair to suggest that is the responsibility solely of the teachers.

Successful education of a child is the result of a partnership that is supported equally by the school, parent(s), and individual student. Without one of those participants, success is dramatically reduced. Teachers will have difficulty motivating students without the students and parents placing value on education and always doing one's best. We must all assume responsibility for our part in the educational process.

It appears that success in the 21st century workplace is going to require post-secondary education. To be prepared for post-secondary education, one needs to develop the tools for success while in the K-12 realm. So, I urge you, if you have a school-age child, make sure your child understands how much you value education and that, when it comes to school, you'll accept nothing less than your child's best efforts. More than likely that will go a long way to helping "motivate students to achieve."