Introduction

My project is about trying to bridge the achievement gap between low-income students and their counterparts by looking at student engagement in the classroom, which is an important factor in determining academic achievement. Studies have shown that students who are the most successful academically are most engaged in the classroom, yet researchers over the past few decades have documented low levels of engagement in the classroom. Observing student engagement in the classroom is not only important because students can succeed academically, ensuring a good future for them, but also has an impact on students’ social and cognitive lives, which is vital to their well-being. Research that discusses which teaching methods work best in getting students to be engaged can help teachers modify their practices in order to ensure higher academic achievement in the classroom and a more engaged and passionate classroom setting.