A concerted project

Partners in the region wished to:

• act on school motivation (search for meaning and development of aspirations) in teenagers aged 12 years and older;
• support the parents so they are better equipped to motivate their children.

In 2021, the Centre de transfert pour la réussite éducative du Québec (CTREQ) received the mission to highlight proposed solutions and guidelines to follow in order to increase motivation and positive aspirations.

A work document (report) was created to help partners think about actions to implement in the region.

The report is divided into 5 sections:

1. Motivational factors related to the selection of initiatives
2. Strategies for implementation
3. The selected initiatives
4. Some additional initiatives, as needed
5. References

Full report (CTREQ) (French only)
Download

To foster motivation and development of positive aspirations, we can:

• Implement different initiatives that are adapted to students’ needs
• Keep in mind that dropping out of school is often the result of several difficulties (in their personal, family, school and social lives)
  → This allows us to adapt our strategies to the situation of each student
• Consider the constraints of the school (like the organization and available resources)

Inspired by an excerpt of the Trait d’Union program guide (see next section), here are some important conditions that must be met to favour an initiative’s effectiveness:

1. The main actors in the environment (direction, professionals, teachers) must be involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of the initiative, and be convinced of its usefulness in resolving students’ difficulties;
2. The selected initiative must be multi-modal, meaning it must target more than one risk or protection factor, at the personal, family or school level, specific to different types of students;
3. The intervention with the student must be on a long enough period, and the various professionals involved must be well trained regarding the theoretical models used in the development of the initiative and its use.

Acting on school motivation and the development of professional aspirations

Here are four initiatives based on recognized theoretical models, all developed using data obtained through research.

*The objectives, content and process are well specified in the links and available tools.

Trait d’Union

(Fortin, 2012) – inspired by an American program called Check and Connect (Evelo et coll., 1996)

Main objective of the project
Develop the engagement and school perseverance of students at risk of dropping out.

Description
Program whose objective is to put together a network of people who can assist and follow up individually and regularly with students. Trait d’Union’s main focus is on the creation of a significant and welcoming trustful relationship.
It has two components, TRAIT and UNION. The TRAIT component focuses on a regular verification of the indicators of school disengagement, using the TRAIT grid, and sharing this information with the student, the parents and the school staff. The UNION component is meeting the student on a regular basis.

Finally, Trait d’Union allows for personalized interventions that consider the type and characteristics of the students.

Links and available tools
Detailed guide for directions and professionals
Training tools

S’Orienter program

(Dionne et coll., 2020)

Main objectives of the project

• Make a clear choice in their educational or professional project
• Influence the limiting perceptions that students might have (informed by their gender or their socio-economic context, for example) about the labour market and the job market, and about their own skills.
• Change the misconception that students might have about the status and prestige associated with vocational training careers, that may negatively influence their choice.

Description
Assist a group of students in their orientation towards educational and professional choices they value.
The program works by developing the students’ power to make these choices, and their awareness of the factors that limit their ability to choose.
“This can, for example, take the form of assistance when they are unable to make a decision, of choosing to learn or re-learn something, or of being aware of the resources available to help them make a satisfying choice.” (Dionne et coll., 2020, p.6; loose translation)

Links and available tools
Ready-made animation guide for a guidance counselor, which includes:

• A description of the process and its scientific basis
• A description of empowerment
• An explanation of the “5C model”
• A guide for group intervention
• Two model suggestions for meetings
• The detailed description of all activities suggested
• The material is reproducible for all activities.

Animation guide (French only)
https://www.chairejeunesse.ca/sites/default/files/2020-04/RTOPS%20Guide%20S%27Orienter.pdf

Program implementation and outcomes (article from O.S.P.)
https://journals.openedition.org/osp/11587#

Jeunes explo Stages d’un jour

Main objectives of the project

• Open your mind to new interests – Allow students to explore, to better know themselves and to discover new interests by being in contact with jobs and careers different from those they normally see in their region.
• Explore their autonomy – Allow students to make their own opinion about a career, by being present on-site and experimenting it with passionate and experienced people.

Description
Jeunes explo is an organization that allows students in secondary 3-5 and at the college level to explore a job or career they are interested in during a one-day internship.

Organization website (French only)
https://www.jeunes-explorateurs.org/

Academos

(Dionne et coll., 2020)

Main objectives of the project

• Give counselors an additional tool to better assist students in their career choices.
• Allow students to develop relationships with mentors in short, medium or long term, following their needs and where they are in their orientation process.

Description
Online mentoring platform that allows students to discuss for free with over 3000 passionate professionals about their work.

Go to the Academos website (French only):
https://academos.qc.ca/

Jeunes musiciens du monde

Description
Development of musical activities that aim to develop a sense of belonging, self-esteem and autonomy in students in order to increase the motivation they need to persevere and follow their dreams.

Website
https://jeunesmusiciensdumonde.org/

Youth Fusion – Social engagement and perseverance

(Robotics program – First Lego League – challenge)

Description
Youth Fusion offers an experiential teaching model that focuses on a variety of educational programs. They allow students to gain disciplinary and transferable skills, discover new careers and awaken new passions.

Robotics, specifically using LEGO Mindstorms, allows students to explore the worlds of science and technology. It gives them an opportunity to solve problems, suggest creative solutions and collaborate.

The organization offers virtual assistance periods.

Website
https://www.fusionjeunesse.org/en/modules/robotics

Une école, une entreprise

Description
The proposition of Une école, une entreprise is to install a collective business, incorporated as a non-profit organization, created and managed by students, inside the school, in collaboration with a Carrefour jeunesse-emploi.

The school-based non-profit organizations:

• Combines the school, some organizations, the community and businesses in the service of educational success;
• Involves students in the search of solutions to their community’s needs;
• Reinforces the economy and social fabric of regions;
• Mobilizes new resources in school to encourage the students’ perseverance.

Website
https://cjematawinie.qc.ca/une-ecole-une-entreprise/