Many good high schools boast of having high academic standards; however, great high schools have high standards and an uncommonly high percentage of rather "common" students who meet these standards. Teachers, administrators, and other personnel in high-performing high schools understand motivation theory and the strategies and conditions that promote student engagement, as well as the importance of using engagement to boost students' academic success.

High schools that move from good to great do so by complementing a we-expect-success attitude with practices, structures, and programs that help students meet high academic expectations. The question we turn to now is, "How can we support students who need extra time and help to succeed in challenging programs of study?"

Using Self-System Thinking and Student Engagement