“Helping Students Develop an Achievement Oriented Attitude: What They Believe Determines Whether They Achieve”

Students’ experiences shape their beliefs about themselves, their tasks, and achievement more broadly. These beliefs, in turn, influence whether and how they pursue success. This session will share research-based strategies developed over the past two decades to increase student motivation. We will explore the value of providing students with choices in their learning, building their confidence in their ability to succeed, and aligning instruction with their interests. When students perceive a task as meaningful and believe they have the skills and support to succeed, they are more likely to engage in self-regulated learning and apply effective academic strategies. These ideas will be examined through the lens of the three legs of talent development: access to advanced content, inductive learning with depth and complexity, and authentic, interest-based learning opportunities. Together, these elements foster curiosity, encourage academic risk-taking, and cultivate a lifelong enthusiasm for learning.