The authors argue that the prospect of performance can motivate students to learn. He uses a study of the Above and Beyond program at a K-5 school, where students appeared to be more interested in their subjects and learn more effectively when given the opportunity to display or perform in front of an audience.

Achievement motivation is something that all members of the school community want to support in students, however few may recognize that it is influenced by culture. The very meaning of "achievement" is culturally variable, and the motives that students have for achieving may be quite different, depending upon their cultural background.…

Despite the major push for higher student outcomes in graduation, school achievement, and test scores, even when legislated (NCLB, 2001), too many students fail to persist in school, often choosing to drop out as their last resort (Bridgeland, DiIulio, & Morison, 2006). Specifically, one third of the nation's students drop out of school, even when…