Student Disengagement

It seems all I hear about these days is how disengaged our students are, at both the high school and college level. Students don’t see anything wrong with missing class, turning in papers late, or even dropping out entirely; this is really concerning and makes me very fearful for our future. Even though student disengagement is more concerning now, it has always been an issue. For those of you who are familiar with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs know that disengagement often stems from a lack of belonging. Due to the pandemic it is no surprise that students feel more disconnected than ever. The question is, how do we get this connection back?

It has been found that many students enter college not knowing what the purpose of college is. Many secondary schools prepare students to get into college but don’t educate them on the purpose of college (www.chronicle.com). As a result, many students don’t appreciate the expertise of their faculty, nor value their education. Another issue we face is that college tours usually focus on dining halls, recreation centers, and comfortable dormitories - minimal attention is given to the intellectual mission of the college (www.chronicle.com). It is no wonder students are not prepared for the intellectual demands of college.

How do we combat this issue? First of all, we need to find a way for students to feel like they belong at the college. This will help build the students confidence and support network. I truly feel this is the foundation of building a successful high school and college experience for students. If you would like more information and/or guidance in this area please reach out to me at info@atozeducationalconsulting.com or 612.735.1261.