Fostering middle school students’ autonomy to support motivation and engagement

The decline in middle school students’ motivation and engagement during young adolescence remains a concern for educators, administrators, and educational researchers. This article draws on the philosophies of providing the appropriate person-environment fit and meeting students’ basic psychological needs to enhance teaching and learning. These theories serve as the inspiration to consider ways to foster middle school students’ sense of autonomy by developing curricular activities and tasks that acknowledge the interests and talents of our middle school students. In this article, the author shares specific ways teachers can create autonomy supportive instruction and construct classroom environments that foster students’ sense of autonomy, as well as the implications for educators and administrators who advocate for the academic, social, and emotional needs of young adolescents.