Tonight’s Theme: Motivating Your
Student for Lifelong Learning!
Quality Learning for Every Student, Everyday
When you want to
succeed as bad as
you want to
breath, then you’ll
be successful.
-Eric Thomas
Getting Started
• Please make sure you sign-in.
• Please make sure to provide an e-mail
address, if we don’t have one on file.
• Please submit your feedback & commentary
to: ssnead@oakparkschools.org
Oak Park High School
Parent-to-Parent Education Network Meeting 12-16-13
1. Why aren’t some students motivated to do well in school?
2. What can schools & parents do to motivate students?
3. How can students develop strategies to keep themselves
motivated?
4. What support does OPHS provide to help students maintain
motivation?
5. What other supports should OPHS provide?
6. Next Meeting 1-27-14: Get in Shape for 2014! Workshop
for Parent & Students to get and stay on the right track.
Why aren’t some students motivated?
1. Don’t have a purpose for education or
have clear goals for themselves.
2. May have had a series of bad experiences
in school.
3. Little to no adult expectation of academic
performance.
Why aren’t some students motivated?
1. Don’t have a purpose for education or
have clear goals for themselves.
•
•
•
•
Don’t see a point to going to school
Don’t understand the value of education
Don’t see the reward in education
Can’t connect education performance with life
outcomes
• They feel that school isn’t helping them
These students will often say that school is boring or say it’s a
waste of time.
Why aren’t some students motivated?
May have had a series of bad experiences in
school.
•
•
Might be the subject of bullying
Continuously struggle with academic concepts, but
the concepts keep getting harder.
• Might have had a bad experience with a staff
member or other adult
• Have negative opinions about school
These students will often say that they don’t just like school or
that a teacher doesn’t like them.
Why aren’t some students motivated?
Little to no adult expectation of academic
performance.
•
•
No one is monitoring report cards, test scores, etc.
Have a belief that it’s okay to do poorly in certain
areas
• Believe that parents and/or teachers don’t care nor
expect them to do well.
These students will often say that no one cares about how they
do in school or they say they don’t have a positive role model.
POP QUIZ!
Research says which of the following is most
prevalent in today’s youth?
A. Don’t have clear goals for themselves
B. Have had a series of bad experiences
C. No adult expectation of performance
Research consistently shows that positive adult relationships
have a strong influence on student performance.
What can parents & schools do to motivate students?
NO GOALS
• Set academic goals for
GPA, Test Scores, Grades,
etc.
• Select strategies that will
help you reach the goal
• Set check-points along
the way, i.e. weekly grade
checks, practice tests.
• Expose your child to what
success looks like.
• Reward your child for
achieving success at each
check point.
• Monitor your child’s
progress through school
BAD EXPERIENCES
• Identify the source of the
fear or resistance.
• Select strategies that will
minimize or reduce the
negative experience.
• Make school fun again by
getting your child
involved in arts, athletics,
or other extra curricular
activities.
• Equip your child with
strategies for themselves
if they encounter a
negative situation.
• Monitor your child’s
progress through school
NO EXPECTATIONS
• Demonstrate to your
child that you care about
their education
• Push your child to achieve
beyond what they think is
possible.
• Pair your child up with a
positive adult role model
• Monitor your child’s
progress through school
• Equip your child with selfmonitoring strategies &
check their progress
How can students develop strategies to keep themselves
motivated?
1. Set small goals (getting an A on your next math Test) & big goals (getting a 4.0) for
yourself . Make specific plans to do better if you fall off track.
2. Find a friend or group of friends who will “stay on your head” about school. Do the
same to your friends.
3. Find a quote from a popular entertainer, athlete, entrepreneur, that you respect
that helps to motivate you. Put that quote in your locker, in your room, in your
notebook….just about everywhere!
4. Talk, text, tweet, post, etc. with your family & friends about school and your
dreams.
5. Watch This Speech from Motivational Speaker Eric Thomas! Over 4 Million Views!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTFnmsCnr6g
6. Get motivated & inspired by your favorite celebrity like Big Sean, Trey Songz, &
Ciara! Get free phone calls & reminders!
www.getschooled.com
What supports does OPHS provide to help
students maintain motivation?
 Parent Connect & Student Connect
 Frequent self-checks of learning goals & objectives
 PBIS – Rewarding positive behavior like good
attendance, good grades, and overall positive
attitudes
 Many extra-curricular activities for a variety of
student interests, including female mentoring,
sports, arts, music, television broadcasting & more!
 Advanced Learning & Technical Learning programs
for interested students.
What supports does OPHS provide to help
students maintain motivation?
What other supports should OPHS offer
to help maintain student motivation?
THANK YOU!
Next Meeting: January 27th, 2014 at
6:00PM
Getting Academically in Shape for 2014 & Beyond! A Hands-On
Workshop for Students and Parents.
Full Dinner Service, bring the whole family!