Research shows that intrinsically motivated students tend to achieve higher academic growth (Mendoza,2012). When specific populations of students are labeled “at risk”, it becomes difficult for them to realize their intrinsic motivation (Ginsberg & Wlodkowski, 2019). Students identified as "at risk" tend to be from a lower socioeconomic status (Cedeño et al., 2016). Proposed study investigates the relationship between perceived socioeconomic status of students with their academic intrinsic motivation. An urban mid-western middle school with approximately 700 low-income students got equal opportunity to participate in research. 50 students with both signed student and parent consent forms were allowed to participate in the research. Mixed method research design was conducted using a survey that contained a 5-point likert scale which measured academic intrinsic motivation and multiple-choice questions followed by open ended questions which measured the students’ perceived socioeconomic status. Multiple choice questions included parents’ employment status, income range and their educational level with three open ended questions to deepen the understanding of the choices selected by students. Parental income range was used as the parameter to measure the socioeconomic status. Open-ended questions focused on opportunities provided to students, challenges faced by them and their future goals. Linear regression analysis helped to establish no relationship between the students’ perceived parental income range and their academic intrinsic motivation. However, using manual coding open-ended questions shed light on the equal opportunities provided by the school in spite of their parent’s income level.

Authors:
Pallavi Aggarwal, University of Missouri-Sanit Louis, United States
Taylor Mae-L. Lawson Smith, Fort Zumwalt School District R-II, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Pallavi Aggarwal is currently a post doctoral fellow in University of Missouri-Saint Louis, United States of America.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

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