What motivates students to succeed in high school?
Survey shows mixed results
Matt O'Brien and Clint Diehl
December 21, 1999

With declining test scores, disrespect for authority, and an increase in violence across the nation, many have come to wonder just what is the top priority of most students.

It seems that in today's society, certain individuals lack the desire to do well. East High is no exception.

Many of East High students' test scores leave much to be desired. Last year, only 49% of ninth graders and 47% of tenth graders that took the Iowa Test of Educational Developmental were unable to pass the 251 mark.

This means that over half of East High's student body is functioning below an eight grade level in the areas of math and reading.

Why is all of this happening?

A recent survey of 175 East students of all ages and backgrounds revealed very mixed results.

Although many students indicated that they had a positive attitude about school and came to learn and to get somewhere in life, other responses unveiled a completely opposite attitude.

"My attitude towards school is not the best," said Nick Best (10). "I just do enough to get by."

Many students said their only motivation to make it to school each day was to have fun and meet friends.

Others say that they come because some authority figure, weither it be parents, or as mentioned in one survey, probation officers force them to.

Is the personal lack of motivation the only culprit to blame, or are there other factors, which lead to a student's failures at school?

While many parents are supportive of their children and want them to succeed in life, other are not so fit to be a role model.

"I think alot of it (students failures at school) comes from not being challenged at home, or their parents not caring." said Regina Weekley (11).

Many students also believe that the negative and confining aspects of East play a large role in the lack of motivation of some students.

"It's not the students or the work," said Lucas Thoma (12). "It's every single person telling me what I can and can't do."

Still other students find that managing their fincial needs is more important than their schoolwork.

For many students their lack of success cannot be helped. Some do not posses the skills that are needed to accomplish their goals.

In our survey, 56% of the responses had mor than two words misspelled or blatanly obvious grammatical errors.

The views of East High's faculty about student achievement are not much more positive.

Most of the staff members said that the majority of East High students would rather make money or be with friends than put effort into succeeding at school.

"Many students cannot, or will not take a long term look at the role academics will play in their future," commented English teacher Mr. Albrecht.

Nearly all the East High faculty surveyed said that the reason students do not do well comes down to them just not wanting to put effort into their studies.

However, the news is not all that bad.

60% of the students surveyed did say their biggest priority in life is doing well at school.

"School is something I know I have to do to get somewhere in life," said Jessica Kugler (9).

Waterloo's standardized test scores have also been slowly climbing the last few years.

Most students who are active outside of the classroom also seem to put more effort into their studies.

Those who do get involved in their school and community seem to achieve a higher standard of self-pride, which leads to them wanting to do put forth the best of their abilities.

Updated 12/24/99 by Mike Bowser