MOTIVATION

EXPLORATION
Mack, Folami

Period 7

Folami Mack

Mm

Outline
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.

Background and introduction that leads to, and surrounds topic.

Research Methodologies are introduced/
Sources of Information and Collection of Data
Analysis and Interpretation of Data
Multiple Perspectives
Ethics / Unanswered Questions
Self-analysis

Education can serve as an opportunity to level the plain field among various types of
people despite difference such as background or culture. However, the academic achievement
gap between groups are still very evident. Studies show the academic achievement gap amongst
black and white students have decreased; the gap between rich and poor students doubled

substantially during the same period. The common and well-known problems that prevent highrisk students from getting the best out of education include financial dependency, family
problems, and even abuse. However, what about the issues in education only the policy makers
can change?
High-risk students should be served with an education of equal quality and opportunity
similar to those of private schools. Another way to decrease the gap, and level the plain field, is
through thorough explanation and extreme exposure to the many opportunities of education.
Students of all backgrounds, regions, and socioeconomic status, should be introduced to the
many forms of education, including Early College High Schools to College, through motivation.
Early college high schools are ideally somewhat new, which prevents strong evidence
that show their long-term results. However, early college high schools can better prepare, mature,
and increase responsibility that students usually miss out on. Early college high schools could
potentially decrease this academic achievement gap between low risk and high risk student,
decrease the college dropout rate for lower-income households, and improve the overall
transition of a student from high school to college. I officially decided that my topic would be
informing high-risk and low-income students on the various options in education. This topic was
chosen to level the plain field between the two socioeconomic groups, make a difference in the
gap, and give high risk-students an addition opportunity for an overall better lifestyle.

Before beginning to research, the strategies for proper research had to be discovered.
First, is developing a topic, which in this case is the continuously expanding achievement gap
between low-income and high-income student. Once the research topic is established, the next

step is understanding the assignment. Understanding the assignment, allows this paper to stick to
criteria.
Starting at the foundation, my research methodology began with a google search of the
academic achievement gap, which lead to many sources and statistics. Starting with
government-owned web domains gave credible and accurate statistics. Statistics among all
categories (whether based on race, gender, etc) gave the perspective to write from. The
categories where the academic achievement gap was the widest, were the keys to finding
successful techniques used by experts. With these techniques in mind, this capstone project
would be able to t have the highest impact on as many students as possible. Scholarly articles
were next to be used as a resource. Scholarly articles were primarily chosen based on how up-todate the articles, and then continued to focused on the authors title and/or positions, intuition,
and resources used to ensure their credibility. Next database used to research information on the
academic achievement gap, and the possible causes for it, was the Houston Community College
librarys online database.
The next topic researched were the history and impact of Early Colleges. Since early
colleges are seemingly new, there were some, but not many, articles that reviewed the overall
success and impact of early colleges. The search for information on Early colleges were
narrowed damn to sources that were credible, somewhat long-term, and provided information
such as statistics, strategies, and overall comparisons of early colleges to other forms of
education. Along this process, Googles and Houston Community College librarys online
database not only provided me with more scholarly article on early college high schools, but
also case studies focused on this very form of education.

The research gathered so far expressed the problems that caused the academic
achievement gap. Next topic researched were the various ways to narrow the gap between low
and high- income students. Using only credible sources, the common issues that were revealed
regarded everything from issues of funding to locations of schools. However, one article shared
the importance of motivation, which opened the door for the next subject of research.
Educational systems and programs all use common techniques and strategies to
encourage students. With the use of Googles scholarly articles database, and Houston
Community College librarys online database, the most common techniques and case studies
were discovered. The searches and sources provided many alternatives and perspectives to the
many ways education attempts to narrow the achievement gap, mainly through motivation.
Another research methodology was the use of first-hand experience, which were
expressed through interviews with experts. These interviews were conducted through email, and
through person. Interviews from experts provided perspective and insight on some of the issues
low-income students when it comes to education, and what improvements are need in education.
The first collections of data regarded the background and impact of early college high
schools. Starting with case study, conducted by What Works Clearinghouse, and provided very
important statistics on Early Colleges. This case study compared the students of early college
high schools to the students of post-secondary school. This study compared and analyzed the
impact these forms of education effected on topics such as high school graduation, college
enrollment, and college degree attainment. The data revealed an abundant amount of
information. When it came to the graduation rate for between early college high schools
compared to a traditional high school, the study showed, 86% percent of Early College students
graduated from high school, while 81% percent of students from a traditional high school

graduated, showing a 5% difference. When it came to enrolling in college, the case study
revealed 80% of Early College students enrolled, meanwhile at a traditional high school, only
71% enrolled. The 9% difference notably shown Early College students were more likely s to
enroll in both two-year and in four-year colleges. When it comes to earning a degree the study
showed up to one year past high school, 21 percent of Early College students earned a college
degree (typically, an associates degree), compared to only 1 percent for comparison students,
which is expected since they start earning college credits in high school. The impact of Early
College on high school graduation and college enrollment did not differ significantly based on
gender, race/ethnicity, family income, first-generation college-going status, or pre-high school
achievement. The next case study, named Improving Access to Postsecondary Education
through Early College High Schools, was conducted in 2009 by the Council of State
Governments. The case study provided more key information regarding Early Colleges. The case
study exposed More college graduates are needed in the U.S. to keep pace with developing
countries and to meet the demands of an ever-changing work force. Some experts predict the
U.S. will need more than 15 million more college graduates by 2025 to equal the degree
attainment in top-performing countries. Also, the case study shown the recurring fact that
although the rates of degree attainment among minorities have increased, minorities and lowincome young people continue to be less likely than their white and more affluent counterparts to
enroll in college.
The sources regarding the importance of motivating students overall shown similar
findings amongst one another. The key findings introduced were the many types of motivation,
and how it effects students. Key terminology and the types of motivation introduced were
intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and technological willingness. Intrinsic motivation

refers to behavior that is driven by internal rewards, such as improvement ethically, morally, or
feelings of achievement. In other words, the motivation to engage in a behavior arises from
within the individual because it is intrinsically rewarding. Extrinsic motivation refers to
behavior that is driven by external rewards such as money, fame, grades, and praise. This type of
motivation arises from outside the individual, as opposed to intrinsic motivation, which
originates inside of the individual. Technological willingness is basically the level of willingness
a person is open to using depending on whether its high in relative advantage, low in
complexity, and easy to use. The article The Impact of Intrinsic Motivation on The
Effectiveness of Leadership Style towards on Work Engagement Shu Chin-Yu, was an overall
report on a case study. The case study focused on the impacts certain type of motivation had on
workers. One of the case studies main findings were that intrinsic motivation appears to foster
the positive relationship between authentic leadership and work engagement. These sources
thoroughly explained that motivation overall has a great, and beneficial impact on students.
When the interviews were finished, the common reasons for the achievement gap were
better clarified. Each interviewee expressed similar problems and situations that both faculty and
students face with being in a predominately low-income school. The common issues experts seen
within education included the lack of resources, exposure, and opportunities were few of the
many issues lower-income students face. These issues also were discovered in the research. The
lack of opportunities expressed included knowledge of financial aid, improper funding for
resources, and the exposure to the various types of education.
Overall, the data collected exposed a lot of information. When it comes to analyzing the
achievement gap, theres no absolute solution. There is no absolute solution because there are
continuously growing factors that vary among students. The reasons for the achievement gap

include the lack of encouragement, exposure to opportunity, and socioeconomic issues lowincome students face. However, there are some ways that could help position socioeconomic
challenged students to be a better standing. One technique that could lower the achievement gap
is through increased involvement from parents when it comes to their childs academic career.
Parents increasing their involvement leads to an increase in guidance, structure, and support.
Parents would also be another source for motivation, both extrinsic and intrinsic. Another
strategy that would potentially narrow the achievement gap would be level the quality of
education among different schools. Every school should be supplied with the same quality of
education. Enforcing the same quality of education would mean to enforce a fair and equal
distribution of resources, the same curriculum, and sources such as tutors. Another strategy that
would lower the achievement gap would be the through the proper exposure of opportunities.
Student of lower-income students should be greatly prepared and exposed to their various
choices, such as early college high schools and college.
From the experts perspective, because all experts faced similar situations in their fields,
they each had similar responses when I came to the issues in the education system. However,
they provided different techniques and strategies when it came to dealing with the achievement
gap.
Interviewer one, Cierra Nickerson, introduced a perspective for the need of more
=interaction between student and school/university. Nickerson strategies included several ways a
student could be become more involved with education such as college chats, college visits, and
a more devoted school and staff. Interviewer two, Maggie Trendel, perspective was expected to
be somewhat different because of her position. Since Trendel works at a middle school, although
both intuitions deal with socioeconomically challenged students, the mindset and maturity of the

students are usually different. Trendels perspective mainly focused on the need for opportunity.
Trendel felt it was most important, and the best approach, would be through exposing students to
as much opportunity as possible. The third interviewer, Yahira Campble, perspective on the
proper way to approach is starting great quality of education at lower grades. For example, she
stated if students were to acquire positive attitudes towards reading comprehension at the
elementary level, students would have a much easier time throughout their academic career.
From Campbles perpective, the best strategy to narrow the achievement gap would be through
preparing students to be strong, academically well-rounded students at the beginnings of the
academic career.
The unanswered questions that remain could only be answered by policy makers and
government officials. What determines the distribution of funding among schools? Do you feel
resources are properly distributed among education facilities? What do you feel as a policy
maker and/or government official needs to be done in order to lower the achievement gap
between high and low-income students? For parents, similar questions of the interview would be
ask. As a parent, what do you feel are some faults in the education system? What do you feel
needs to be done to narrow the achievement gap? Do you feel students of low-income are
exposed to an education of equal quality as wealthy students? What are some ways you can
narrow the achievement gap as a parent?
Ive learned there are many reasons for the continuously widening achievement. The
main reasons include unbalanced distribution of funding and resources, the uncontrollable issues
that come along with socioeconomically challenged households(such as transportation, financial
issues, and even abuse) , and the quality of education. Ive also learned there a numerous ways of

motivation, strategies, and techniques that could be used to help narrow the achievement gap.
Another thing I learned were the impacts Early College high schools already had.
This knowledge will help me properly use intrinsic motivation to encourage the lowerincome students that will be participating in my project. The knowledge has also helped me
narrow down what key information about early colleges I should introduce, how I should relate
to the students during my project, and what key strategies I could introduce to staff.
Ive learned that Im one of many students who are part of low-income households.
Although low-income students may be in different situations, we all face similar circumstances.
Ive realized that its important for me to continue to work just as hard as any other student, to
put myself ahead and in a better position. As someone who is disadvantaged, it is key to put as
much as three times the effort into everything I do.
This learning processed introduced me into a deeper perspective as to why the
achievement gap continues remain strong. Ive learned that there is no absolute solution to
fixing the problem. However, there are many strategies that help decreasing the gap, such as
Early College High school institutions.
Ive learned that my hard-work, dedication, and drive was not only putting me ahead
academically, but also helped build my character today. Although I am considered a student of
low-income, and that alone puts me behind, this disadvantages actually structured my work ethic,
confidence, and sense of leadership. Being a person of low income, in my instance, performed
more as a solid foundation rather than a crutch.
After completing this project, I feel Ive contributed to narrowing the achievement gap.
When it comes to myself pursuing in this career path, I am not interested. However, this has

strengthen my passion to own a business, which would allow me to help contribute resources to
the instructions.

Work Cited
Chin-Yi, Shu. "The Impact Of Intrinsic Motivation On The Effectiveness Of
Leadership Style Towards On Work Engagement." Contemporary Management
Research 11.4 (2015): 327-349. Academic Search Complete. Web. 23 Nov. 2015.

Campble, Yahira. "Attempting to Narrow the Achievement Gap." E-mail interview. 08 Dec.
2015.
Nickerson, Cierra. "Attempting to Narrow the Achievement Gap." E-mail interview. 08 Dec.
2015.
Trendel, Maggie . "Attempting to Narrow the Achievement Gap." Message to the author. 5 Dec.
2015. E-mail.