What Underachieving Middle School Students Believe Motivates them to Learn

Chapter 1: The Challenge to Educate Everyone    The Problem    The Research Question      Focus on Instruction      Focus on Middle Edu.      Why Student Voices    The Study Chapter 2: A Review of Literature Chapter 3: Methods Chapter 4: The Results Chapter 5: Discussion References Appendixes Biography

The Research Question The challenge to educate all children is a complex issue and prompts many possible research questions: Are there learning style differences between races? How do underachievers learn differently from high achievers? Are there other school structures or organizational designs that might help more students learn better? What is the impact of high-stakes testing on achievement? Are there alternative curricular sequences or organizations that might help more children learn to higher standards? Which teaching strategies are successful with students who aren’t currently achieving? Which classroom structures and teaching strategies best provide for diverse learners working together in a single classroom? This study will contribute to the discussion on helping all students learn by exploring the question, "What do underachieving middle school students believe motivates them to learn?" This section will explore the questions Why focus on instruction and classroom practice? Why focus on middle level education? Why seek out student voices?

Web site created by Mike Muir Send questions or comments to wilder@somtel.com Last updated April 25, 2001

Mike Muir Assistant Professor of Education University of Maine at Farmington 104 Main Street Farmington, ME 04938 207.778.7179 wilder@somtel.com http://violet.umf.maine.edu/~mmuir