School engagement
Definition
The proportion of secondary school students aged 12 to 18 who like school, as reported in the Youth2000 Survey.
Relevance
Young people who are self-motivated and have a positive attitude towards school are happier and more likely to take advantage of the opportunities available in this setting. There is evidence that school connectedness is related to academic achievement.
Current level
When asked in the Youth2000 Survey how they felt about school, 42.8 percent of secondary students said that they liked school “a lot” or “a bit".
A further 42.6 percent (44.1 percent of males and 41.5 percent of females) said that that school was “okay”.
A minority of students (14.5 percent – 13.6 percent of females and 15.5 percent of males) reported that they disliked school.
How much secondary students like school, by sex, 2001
Source: Adolescent Health Research Group (2003) New Zealand Youth: A profile of their health and wellbeing. Auckland, University of Auckland.
