The 2009-10 Gallup student poll had over 700,000 completed responses from Public schools across the United States. A recently released report highlighted some of the findings.
1. Over half of students (53%) are hopeful. Students are generally confident in their future. 84% believe that they will graduate high school, 62% believe they will get a good job after high school, but only 32% strongly believe that they can find ways around any problem that may arise in life.
2. Over half (57%) are engaged in school. Engagement is high in elementary school and steadily declines through middle and high school years. This suggests that "we may be losing the hearts and minds of some students in middle school years." This engagement decline is largely attributable to students receiving less praise and recognition as they age. The researchers suggest that a national discussion about praise may be needed to resolve adults uncertainty about how to praise students effectively and when it is appropriate.
3. About 2/3's of students (63%) are thriving. They think about their present and future life in positive terms. 77% said they did or learned something interesting yesterday and 84% indicated they smiled or laughed a lot yesterday.
From Measuring Hope, Engagement and Well-Being in America's Students: A Report on Findings From the Fall 2010 Gallup Student Poll, Dr. Shane Lopez and Dr. Valerie Calderon.
The student engagement data is concerning. I think that lack of student interest in school is as much a contributor to low student engagement as lack of student praise and recognition is. Although I do find that praise and recognition tends to be heaped on the "high achievers" and much less is given to those who struggle with learning, even though they may be doing their best.
We educators should try to give attention and positive support to the average and low performing students in our schools. We can't let them fall through the cracks or feel like they are not important to us.
