Analyzing profiles, predictors, and consequences of student engagement dispositions

Michael A Lawson; Katherine E Masyn

doi:10.1016/j.jsp.2014.11.004

Analyzing profiles, predictors, and consequences of student engagement dispositions

J Sch Psychol. 2015 Feb;53(1):63-86. doi: 10.1016/j.jsp.2014.11.004. Epub 2014 Dec 11.

Authors

Michael A Lawson¹, Katherine E Masyn²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Human Development, Binghamton University (SUNY), PO Box 6000, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA. Electronic address: mlawson@binghamton.edu.
² Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Georgia State University, PO Box 3984, Atlanta, GA 30302-3984, USA. Electronic address: kmasyn@gsu.edu.

PMID: 25636261
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsp.2014.11.004

Abstract

Drawing from a nationally representative sample of 12,760 students attending public high schools in the United States, this study used latent class analysis (LCA) to analyze profiles, predictors, and consequences of student engagement dispositions. A student engagement disposition is an umbrella concept. It encompasses students' identification with school together with their academic competencies and overall educational aspirations. Six subpopulation profiles of engagement dispositions were culled from the data using LCA. These profiles included students who possessed "model student" attributes as well as others whose school experiences reflected ambivalence and disidentification. Where practice and policy are concerned, findings regarding the characteristics and consequences of each profile can be used by researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to facilitate tailored intervention planning as well as more nuanced policy development.

Keywords: Educational attainment; Latent class analysis; Student engagement; Student engagement dispositions; Student engagement profiles; Student motivations.

MeSH terms

Achievement*
Adolescent
Educational Status
Female
Humans
Male
Motivation*
Schools
Students*
United States