This action research project implemented and evaluated an intervention for increasing student engagement in learning to improve academic success. The targeted population consisted of students in four separate schools: pre-kindergarten and eighth graders in a large metropolitan area and fifth and eighth graders in a rural community. The lack of engagement was documented through staff surveys completed by 61 teachers at the 4 schools, teacher journal entries completed during the first 3 weeks of school, and teacher observation checklists of targeted students completed at the beginning of the school year. The 18-week intervention consisted of: (1) cooperative learning small group activities that foster social skills; (2) social skill instruction through grade-appropriate curricular units integrated into subject areas; and (3) classroom management techniques that include clear expectations and consequences, student-teacher collaboration, and positive classroom climate. Social skills included active listening, participation, group problem solving, and affective processing. Post-intervention data indicated that the intervention succeeded in increasing student engagement. The incidence of class participation, attentive listening, staying on task, completing assignments, and following classroom rules increased as a result of the intervention. (Nine appendices include data collection instruments and class materials. Contains 72 references). (Author/KB)