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Strategies That Will Cause Unmotivated Students To Succeed
By: Kelvin L. Thompson
The E.M.P.O.W.E.R. Network, Inc
P.O. Box 340 Kannapolis, NC 28082
www.empowernetwork.org
(704) 494-9523 office
kthompson@empowernetwork.org
Contents
1. Three Areas This Session Should Impact
2. Four Keys of Motivation: The ERIM Model
3. 7 Habits of Highly Motivational Educators
Areas of Impact
1. Dropout Prevention
2. Literacy Proficiency
3. Student Motivation
Dropout Prevention –
Every year, more than 1 million students—that’s 7,000 every school day—do not
graduate from high school on time. Nationwide, only 69 percent of students earn their
high school diplomas. Among minority students, only 56 percent of Hispanic, 54 percent
of African American, and 51 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native students in
the U.S. graduate with a regular diploma, compared to 77 percent of white students and
81 percent of Asian Americans. (Alliance for Excellent Education)
Literacy Proficiency
Graduation rates are only one lens through which to view the education of students,
particularly struggling students (i.e. Black males). The National Assessment of
Educational Progress (NAEP), “the Nation’s Report Card,” measures student
achievement at various grade levels in a variety of subject and skill areas. In 2009, the
NAEP for Grade 8 Reading numbers indicated a national crisis (students reading at or
above proficiency). The “best” score for black males is a dramatically low 15% (New
Jersey), and several states average only in the single digits.
a)
b)
c)
d)
Reading at or Above Proficiency Cont…
U.S.A. Average: Black Males = 9%; White Males = 33%
North Carolina and South Carolina rank below the National Average
North Carolina: Black Males = 8%; White Males = 32%
South Carolina: Black Males = 7%; White Males = 25%
Student Motivation
In a report by Civic Enterprises in March 2006 (in association with Peter D. Hart
Research Associates for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) some very interesting
findings were accumulated through extensive research. The research was conducted on
young people aged 16–25 who identified themselves as high school dropouts in twenty-
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five different locations in the United States. The research surveys took place in large
cities, suburbs, and small towns with high dropout rates. The findings indicated that the
majority of the students who dropped out are students who could have succeeded in
school.
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Nearly half (42%) said that the major reason for dropping out was that classes were not
interesting. Almost 42% of these students spent time with people who were not interested
in school. Nearly seven in ten respondents (69%) said they were not motivated or
inspired to work hard. 45% said they started high school poorly prepared by their earlier
schooling. Many of these same students fell behind in elementary and middle school and
could never make up the necessary ground.
If we are to motivate the unmotivated students, we must:
Motivate – to provide with a motive. (reason for action)
Educate – to train/develop mentally or morally by informing.
Relate – to show or establish a connection to.
Inspire – to influence, move, or guide with the purpose of bringing out the best.
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Examples of how the techniques, in this session, have been successfully
implemented.
7 Habits Of Highly Motivational Educators
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Habit 1: Replace Memorization with Foundation
Memorize – to commit something to memory or to remember something.
Foundation - a basis upon which something stands or is supported.
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Habit 2: Daily evaluate yourself to see if you have a positive attitude.
Example…..
It is important that your positive attitude expresses itself in your communication styles,
your ability to establish good relationships, and your daily non verbals.
Signs of a Positive Attitude
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Habit 3: You can’t be afraid to take well thought out interventions.
If the strategy that you are implementing isn’t working, don’t be afraid to scrap it or
modify it. Do not drive into a brick wall that you see coming.
Ex: Transform regular class activities into creative games.
Ex: If James is a leader in the streets, develop him into a leader in the class.
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Habit 4: Add style to your substance.
Instruction must be engaging, efficient, & effective.
“Education is not the filling of the vessel, but the kindling of the flame” Socrates
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Habit 5: Set a new tone. Develop high but realistic expectations.
Expectations/goals should be written in complete details.
Expectations/goals should be measurable. (Should include timeframes and you must
know when it has been accomplished)
Expectations/goals should be specific. (Is it general or clearly defined?)
Expectations/goals should be attainable. (Does it make sense with the present learners)
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Habit 6: Mastermind your way to success.
Mastermind Group – Having a group of 5 to 6 people who meet at specific times for the
purpose of problem solving, brainstorming, networking, and encouraging & motivating
each other.
Basic philosophy is that more can be achieved, in less time, when people come together
on a regular basis—weekly, biweekly, monthly—to share ideas thoughts, information,
feedback, & resources. By getting the perspective, knowledge, experience, & resources of
others in the group, not only can you grow beyond your limited view, you can advance
your goals/projects.(Information by Jack Canfeild)
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Habit 7: Spend sufficient time developing a parent involvement plan that works.
Your school/classroom should be unthreatening & unintimidating.
In your model, the expectation level of parent involvement should be modified for certain
students. (i.e. In some cases, you may not want mom coming to the school consistently)
You must respectfully respect the parents for who they are and what they value, even if
you believe their values are dysfunctional. (i.e. Many educators have middle class values,
a great deal of our students’ families don’t)
Conclusion: Relax and don’t “sweat” the small stuff.
Kelvin L. Thompson
The E.M.P.O.W.E.R. Network, Inc.
P.O. Box 340 Kannapolis, NC 28082
(704) 494 - 9523
kthompson@empowernetwork.org
www.empowernetwork.org
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