Motivation, Educational Policy and Achievement seeks to theorise and critique current trends in education through the lens of key ideas from motivational theory. Its purpose is to argue that current educational trends on a macro level are a significant threat to the provision of classroom practices seeking to create an educational environment that motivational theorists would argue is best placed to develop motivational equality, optimal motivation, and wellbeing. Linking major contemporary theories of motivation to wider educational and political debate, this unique resource will bring about two major benefits: it will vocalise and mobilise the substantial research evidence from motivational theory in order to ensure that it contributes more explicitly to a critique of current neoliberal trends, and motivation researchers will be better positioned to move the theory forward in relation to what is happening in the real world of education. Areas covered include: developing a more critical space in relation to the field of motivational psychology and contemporary educational policy; linking motivational theory to education policy and broader social and political structures; the neoliberal educational landscape; an overview of achievement goal theory and self-determination theory. Motivation, Educational Policy and Achievement is a ‘wake-up call’ for educational practitioners and policy makers and essential reading for all advanced students and researchers in the fields of educational psychology and educational research.

This book discusses research and theory on how motivation changes as children progress through school, gender differences in motivation, and motivational differences as an aspect of ethnicity. Motivation is discussed within the context of school achievement as well as athletic and musical performance. Key Features * Coverage of the major theories and constructs in the motivation field * Focus on developmental issues across the elementary and secondary school period * Discussion of instructional and theoretical issues regarding motivation * Consideration of gender and ethnic differences in motivation

Understanding student and teacher motivation and developing strategies to foster motivation for students at all levels of performance are essential to effective teaching. This text is designed to help prospective and practicing teachers achieve these goals. Its premise is that current research and theory about motivation offer hope and possibilities for educators —teachers, parents, coaches, and administrators—to enhance motivation for achievement. The orientation draws primarily on social-cognitive perspectives that have generated much research relevant to classroom practice. Ideal for any course that is dedicated to, or includes coverage of, motivation and achievement, the text focuses on two key roles teachers play in supporting and cultivating motivation in the classroom: establishing the classroom structure and instruction that provides the environment for optimal motivation, engagement, and learning; and helping students develop the tools that will enable them to be self-regulated learners and develop their potential. Pedagogical features aid the understanding of concepts and the application to practice: Strategy boxes present guidelines and strategies for using the various concepts. Exhibit boxes include forms for different purposes (for example, goal setting), examples of teacher beliefs and practices, and samples of student work. Reflection boxes stimulate readers’ thinking about motivational issues inherent in the topics, their experiences, and their beliefs. A motivational toolbox at the end of each chapter helps readers identify important points to think about, lingering questions, strategies to use now, and strategies to develop in the future. NEW IN THE THIRD EDITION Updated research and new topics are added throughout as warranted by current inquiry in the field. Chapters are reorganized to provide more coherence and to account for new findings. New and updated material is included on issues of educational reform, standards for achievement, and high-stakes testing, and on achievement goal theory, especially regarding performance goals and the distinction between performance-approach and performance-avoidance goals as relevant to classroom practice.

Motivating students to achieve is a challenging and often frustrating task for today's teachers. This book provides readers with the underlying theories behind motivating their students by integrating theory, research, and practical issues related to achievement motivation. This teacher-centered book gives clear, practical guidelines for diagnosing and improving student's motivation. the focus is on classroom learning, but attention is also given to how strategies used to motivate students in schools affect their motivation to participate in intellectual activities outside of school. Teachers and other educators.

Throughout the twentieth century there had been substantial links between scientific psychology and education. Binet, Dewey, Thorndike, and other early pioneers were strongly interested in both realms. Taking advantage of a period of enthusiasm, this title, originally published in 1983, looks at the amalgamation of the recent advances at the time in theory and research in education and psychology, with a particular focus on cognition, motivation and social policy. This volume presents and discusses the implications of this work on learning and motivation for educational policy.

Achievement behaviour in schools can best be understood in terms of attempts by students to maintain a positive self-image. For many students, trying hard is frightening because a combination of effort and failure implies low ability, which is often equated with worthlessness. Thus many students described as unmotivated are in actuality highly motivated - not to learn, but to avoid failure. Students have a variety of techniques for avoiding failure, ranging from cheating to setting low goals which are easily achieved. In Making the Grade, Martin Covington extracts powerful educational implications from self-worth theory and other contemporary views of motivation that will be useful for everyone concerned with the educational dilemmas we face. He provides a comprehensive, insightful review of research and theory, both contemporary and historical, on the topic of achievement motivation, and arranges this knowledge in ways that lead to imminently practical recommendations for restructuring schools.

Harness the power of motivation to transform the learning experience! When properly channeled, motivation propels learning forward. Yet teachers across all grade levels and disciplines struggle to recognize and cultivate this dynamic, social force in the classroom. This essential resource proves that all students are motivated to learn, and provides authentic tools to create and sustain a classroom community that is highly engaged. You’ll discover: Reflection activities that promote student voice and self-efficacy as well as assess existing motivation levels Case studies and best practices based on current motivation theory and research Strategies to design meaningful learning tasks and build positive relationships with students and colleagues.

Motivating the SEL Field Forward Through Equity looks for a deeper critical understanding of the role of social and emotional learning (SEL) as a lever for equitable access to the competencies and skills individuals will ultimately need to be successful in school, work, and life.

Race and Ethnicity in the Study of Motivation in Education collects work from prominent education researchers who study the interaction of race, ethnicity, and motivation in educational contexts. Focusing on both historical and contemporary iterations of race-based educational constructs, this book provides a comprehensive overview of this critical topic. Contributors to the volume offer analyses of issues faced by students, including students’ educational pursuits and aspirations, as well as the roles of students’ family and social networks in achieving educational success. A timely and illuminating volume, Race and Ethnicity in the Study of Motivation in Education is the definitive resource for understanding motivation issues posed by non-dominant groups—including African American, Latino, Asian-Pacific Islanders, and Arab-American students--in educational contexts

This established book series is designed to reflect current research and theory concerned with motivation and achievement in work, school and play. Each volume focuses on a particular issue or theme and the series has a special goal of bringing the best in social science to bear on socially significant problems.