Chapter 12: Competence Within Context: Implications for the Development of Positive Student Identities and Motivation at School

Each day as students, children are asked to respond to a broad array of expectations and challenges presented by adults and peers. They are expected to initiate and maintain positive interpersonal relationships, engage in positive forms of behavior that promote social cohesion and refrain from antisocial forms of behavior that are disruptive or harmful, learn new skills in ways that are deemed appropriate by teachers, and perform at academic standards set by others. These expectations are designed to support the development of specific competencies that are valued within school settings and as such, define for children their ideal identities as students. In addition, day-to-day experiences and feedback provide children with information concerning the extent to which their attempts to be ideal students have been successful; over time, these social cues and feedback provide a foundation for the self that motivates engagement (or disengagement) in the educational process.