Motivation research is central to understanding why certain students exhibit high levels of behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement with learning, and why others lack interest, display boredom, and withdraw effort (i.e., are disaffected). In this review, tenets within self-determination theory (SDT) are used to provide a…

Self-determination theory (SDT) assumes that inherent in human nature is the propensity to be curious about one's environment and interested in learning and developing one's knowledge. All too often, however, educators introduce external controls into learning climates, which can undermine the sense of relatedness between teachers and students,…

College counselors can increase the likelihood of school success for learning-disabled students by developing long-term therapeutic relationships in which they help students maneuver through the system, acknowledging their limitations and celebrating their triumphs. Proper motivation is crucial to success. (Author/CB)

Guidelines for competitive physical education and recreational therapy programs for multihandicapped children are discussed. Program developers should consider psychological factors, such as conceptualization of competition, anxiety management, and students' motivation and sense of locus of control. Teachers and parents should be trained to act…

Children with high self-esteem tend to do better in school. Studies indicate, however, that self-esteem is not a cause of academic success, but an effect. In this review of five recent research studies on the subject of self-esteem, one example of a successful program aimed at raising students' self-esteem is offered by Scarborough school system…

This study examined the impacts of faculty mentoring on student success and aspirations examining, first, whether characteristics or functions of mentoring relationships between faculty-mentors and student-proteges have any impact on academic achievement as measured by students' college grade point average and degree aspirations and, second,…

Despite a growing trend toward retention in grade of low-achieving students and apparent public support for the practice, many educators and psychologists disagree with the perception that flunking is an appropriate response to poor academic performance. Research reported in the past two decades indicates that grade-level retention produces little…