This study captures the stories of adult Black men from an urban area plagued by generational poverty and low educational attainment. Narrative semi-structured interviews were employed to examine their stories, the factors that contributed to their identities as students, and their decision to drop out of school. Using the cool pose theory (Major…

High school teachers often struggle to engage students who have little or no motivation to learn. We argue that improving students' perceptions of affective relationships with teachers may have the potential to positively influence their motivation, and vice versa. This study looks at reciprocal associations between students' perceptions of the…

Comparatively few young white males from poorer backgrounds progress to university. This paper considers evidence gathered from a study that explores the educational ambitions of these young men from five areas of educational disadvantage in North West England, at two stages in their learner journeys. The first stage relates to school year 10…

We provide evidence from a randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of a novel, 100-percent online math tutoring program, targeted at secondary school students from highly disadvantaged neighborhoods. The intensive, eight-week-long program was delivered by qualified math teachers in groups of two students during after-school hours. The…

This action research study, drawing on participatory frameworks, investigated whether a Year 10 English class (15-16-year-olds), including struggling readers, could develop their reading self-concept and 'voice'. The research aimed to extend findings from a larger, mixed-method study, developing reading comprehension and motivation with younger…

Teachers are expected to be self-directed and to instill in their learners the ability to self-regulate their own learning processes. There are however personal and contextual factors that promote or inhibit teachers' abilities to develop self-regulated learning skills. This study was conducted in two South African secondary township schools and…

Self-regulated learning (SRL) skills are crucial to improving learner achievement, to supporting effective lifelong learning, and to developing the capability to overcome learning difficulties arising from a disadvantaged environment. However, only a few South African studies address the development of SRL skills of secondary school learners. By…

In general, African American males lag behind their White counterparts with regards to high school graduation, college completion and beyond. African American males residing in low resourced communities are especially vulnerable for such disadvantage. Existing literature suggests that parental factors and interactions can help to promote youth…

This paper presents a reflection on students' levels and types of motivation at a college of health sciences in Saudi Arabia and highlights the social and cultural factors possibly contributing to the differences in motivation among those students. The results of this study, which followed a mixed-methods approach, indicate a multiplicity of…

Education is an international must, a veritable human right, yet education--especially higher education--in the land of the free is still remarkably elusive. The author has witnessed the many obstacles associated with preparing students for college. Advanced courses are rarely offered in these schools due to a lack of perceived eligible students,…

This study examined the impact of child maltreatment and age on 76 school children living in poverty. Both maltreated and nonmaltreated children exhibited maladaptive motivational orientation toward academic work, suggesting that threats to scholastic functioning reside more within the ecology of poverty than in maltreatment. Age differences were…

A publication prepared by the Office of Education is one of a series of four which discuss the education of disadvantaged children. Focusing on grades four, five, and six, this document presents some general background material on the disadvantaged and notes some promising practices. Also included are brief descriptions of special programs in…

THE EFFECTS OF A NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT VARIABLES ON COLLEGE ATTENDANCE RATE WERE STUDIED, USING A SAMPLE (590) OF MALE AND FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES FROM A RELATIVELY UNDERDEVELOPED REGION. THE VARIABLES INVESTIGATED WERE SOCIAL CLASS, SIZE OF HIGH SCHOOL, EDUCATION OF FATHER, EDUCATION OF MOTHER, NUMBER OF SIBLINGS, SEX, MARITAL STATUS,…

A SUMMER PROGRAM WAS CONDUCTED FOR DISADVANTAGED YOUTHS TO ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES OF CREATIVE THINKING AND EXPRESSION, WIDE EXPLORATION, FREE QUESTIONING, AND SELF-ESTEEM DEVELOPMENT. FORTY HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE BOYS (PREDOMINATELY NEGRO) WERE COUNSELED, GUIDED, AND INSTRUCTED IN SUCH SUBJECT AREAS AS LITERATURE, SCIENCE, AND ART. THE RESEARCH…

Examines reasons for high representation of women and factors influencing their persistence in Kenya's literacy programs. Considers the limited formal learning opportunities available, economic demands, women's multiple social roles, inadequate learning environments, unqualified literacy teachers, and the impact of a male-centered society.…