Engaging Students: The Next Level of Working on the Work

by Phillip C. Schlechty

ENGAGING STUDENTS In Phillip Schlechty's best-selling book Working on the Work , he outlined a motivational framework for improving student performance by improving the quality of schools designed for students. Engaging Students offers a next-step resource in which Schlechty incorporates what he's learned from the field and from the hundreds of workshops he and the Schlechty Center staff have conducted since Working on the Work was first published. This innovative and practical book is focused on helping teachers become increasingly successful in designing engaging work for their students. Schlechty contends that rather than viewing schools as teaching platforms, schools must be viewed as learning platforms. Rather than seeing schools as knowledge distribution systems, schools must be seen as knowledge work systems. Rather than defining teachers as instructors, teachers must be defined as designers, leaders, and guides to instruction. Engaging Students also includes useful questionnaires that will facilitate discussion, analysis, and action planning at both school and classroom levels. Praise for Engaging Students "In Engaging Students, Schlechty boldly delineates why the focus on engaging students overrides the focus on test scores. Every teacher and administrator in my district will use this guide to transform our entire organization into one that is truly focused on student engagement."
— KIM REDMOND , superintendent, Canton Local Schools, Canton, Ohio "This insightful book reminds us that every decision made in schools should ultimately benefit students. You will find yourself referring to this book again and again as a guide to support you in your role as an educator."
— ALLENE MAGILL , executive director, Professional Association of Georgia Educators, Atlanta, Georgia "Here is a much-enriched framework for everything Dr. Schlechty advocates: well articulated curriculum standards, schools as a platform for learning, teachers as leaders and designers of engaging and meaningful work, and students becoming responsible for their learning."
— NYANA SIMS , K-12 literacy and induction facilitator, Goshen School District, Torrington, Wyoming "By understanding and implementing the principles so thoughtfully articulated in this book, schools can become centers of highly engaged learners—and in that endeavor find again the joy of teaching and learning."
— JOHNNY VESELKA , executive director, Texas Association of School Administrators, Austin, Texas

Genres: Education, Teaching

224 pages, Paperback

First published February 16, 2011

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of those books that had a lot of ideas and thoughts but almost nothing practical. Phillip Schlechty, I don't care about your views on standardized testing. I want practical ways to make content more engaging. This is just another philosophical teacher book with very little real-world suggestions.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love and agree with the work, and yet am disheartened by the possibility of any of these changes actually being possible given the current circumstances. We’re all dipping from an empty bucket and there aren’t many new hands joining the cause. Understandably…

[Brianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very pie in the sky, big talk philosophy with almost no tangible applications. A nice idea, but left me wanting a "now what?"

[Jenni · Rating 2 out of 5]

How can a book about engagement be so boring?

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good content. Dry delivery.

[Alabama Best Practices Center · Rating 4 out of 5]

Schlechty's latest book focuses on extending his concept that students are volunteers in school. He revisits the topic of teachers as designers of student work and raises the ante by arguing that in today's world, teachers must step away from teaching by telling and embrace inquiry-based/project-based learning that engages students in deep learning.

Throughout the book he worries that our current accountability system discourages this type of teaching.

His definition of student engagement is particularly helpful:
"1. The engaged student is attentive in the senes that he or she pays attention to and focuses on the tasks associated with the work being done.

2. The engaged student is committed. He or she voluntarily (that is, without the promise of extrinsic rewrds or the threat of negative consequences) deploys scarce resources under his or her control (time, attention, and effort, for example) to support the activity called for by the task.

3. The engaged student is persistent. He or she sticks with the task even when it presents difficulties.

4. The engaged student finds meaning and value in the tasks that make up the work.

[Leanna Aker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book espouses the deeply held views of my district, which I also believe deeply. I do not think this book gives much new information from Working on the Work, which was an earlier book, though it did provide some renewed guidance to me as I continue to struggle with how to engage this generation of students. I think this book was more of a reminder to me about how I can be more deliberate and thoughtful in how to assess the needs of my students.

[Navasota ISD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Available for checkout at NELC.