Motivation for learning in younger children

In recent years, the upper secondary school has reported low throughput, a high proportion of students with incomplete grades and a lack of motivation. Many actors (parents, student organizations, teachers' unions, and politicians) demand measures to change the negative trend.

In discussions with teachers in upper secondary school, it is sometimes referred to that the low study motivation is established in compulsory school, ie. before starting studies in high school. Staff in compulsory school believe that already in the intermediate stage, the lack of study motivation is noticed in some students, preferably boys.

That the question of study motivation is important in compulsory school is substantiated by the National Agency for Education's statistics. The proportion of pupils who leave compulsory school without a final grade does not decrease over time.

This study intends to, together with the municipality of Sundsvall, describe and analyze the issue of study motivation in compulsory school. Since study motivation and student health work are closely linked to each other, student health issues will form part of the study. The study will return the knowledge acquired to the work team through involved teachers and other school staff.

The study is an important continuation of the project regarding study motivation in upper secondary school that has been an ongoing collaboration between Sundsvall's upper secondary school and Mid Sweden University for several years.