Examining a strengths-based approach to promoting students' engagement with school : a pilot study

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on October 26, 2012).The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Dissertation advisor: Dr. Cheryl OffuttIncludes bibliographical references.Vita.Ph. D. University of Missouri-Columbia 2012."July 2012"Students' engagement with school is a critical facet of students' successful school completion and involves student attitudes and behaviors that can facilitate academic success. Students' engagement with school incorporates theory and scholarship related to motivation theories, school connectedness, and positive psychology. Although there are interventions to promote student engagement with school, they are typically targeted at students identified as at-risk for school dropout. The following study is an investigation of the efficacy of a novel strengths-based universal intervention for middle school students. Utilizing a randomized control trial procedure, no significant intervention effects were observed related to students' psychological, cognitive, behavioral or academic engagement. Additionally, no significant treatment effects were observed for students' self-reported hope. Results are discussed within the context of implementation research.Includes bibliographical reference