“Engaging Schools” reviews research on engagement, motivation, and learning and examines changes that can be made to instruction, assessment, school climate and composition, out of school opportunities, vocational education, and community connections to increase student motivation to learn in urban high schools. The authors conclude that engagement results when challenging but attainable academic standards are enforced; student interaction with adults is encouraged and sustained; curriculum is meaningful and relevant to the learners; and students perceive a clear connection between what they learn and its application in the outside world. Examples of innovative schools, classrooms, out-of-school programs, and comprehensive reform models that have proved successful in getting high school kids excited about learning are included. This book provides evidence that it is possible to improve the quality of urban high schools throughout our nation and provides a clear set of recommendations for how to do so.
