Goals of the Chair

Dropping out of school and the presence of learning disabilities are likely to have an impact on the development and social integration of youths. Approximately 37% of those who do not complete their secondary school studies experience periods of unemployment after leaving school. Moreover, some studies have shown that young adults with a low level of education are more likely to report physical health problems. Furthermore, undereducation is associated with considerable costs for society, including a shortfall in tax revenues, increased demand for social services, a rise in criminality and lower participation in democratic life.

The research projects of the Canada research chair in Academic Motivation, Perseverance and Achievement aim to answer, among other things, the following questions: What are the conditions of the school and family environments which foster students’ motivation? Are some parent-teacher practices more effective than others in sustaining students’ motivation? Do the rewards offered to students foster their motivation, persistence and academic success? Do friends’ behaviours and values encourage students’ academic motivation? Does the integration of students with learning disabilities into a regular class foster their academic motivation? Do childcare centres help to enhance the academic motivation and success of elementary-school children? Do all forms of motivation foster academic success?

The knowledge gained from the chair’s research projects will make it possible to intervene with youths who have problems at school as well as to provide support to parents and teachers in their efforts to foster students’ academic success.