Student Engagement

Student engagement is critical to academic success, and teachers must build positive student–teacher relationships to foster active engagement and motivate reluctant learners.

Teachers promote engagement by connecting learning to students’ lives (e. g., knowing students’ academic and cultural backgrounds) and using a variety of teacher-led (e.g., choral responding and response cards), peer-assisted (e. g., cooperative learning and peer tutoring), student-regulated (e.g., self-management), and technology-supported strategies shown empirically to increase student engagement. Monitoring student engagement and providing positive, constructive feedback can help sustain active student engagement and improve outcomes.

Related Materials

Meet CEC’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, Michael Craig

Photo of CEC's 2025 Teacher of the Year, Michael Craig, working with his students.
The CEC Teacher of the Year Award recognizes a CEC member teacher who currently provides instruction to students with disabilities and/or gifts and talents and is an outstanding member of the...
Publish Date: 
August 14, 2025

Childhood Victories Inc. / Body Safety Curriculum

Childhood Victories Inc logo with a orange and yellow swirl to the left of the text

At Childhood Victories we create body safety curriculum that can be delivered in person, live stream, and through online video modules that your school facilitates. Teaching topics like sexual abuse awareness and prevention is challenging for all students, including students with special needs.  Keeping them engaged can be extremely challenging and frustrating.

We hear the following when schools attempt to teach this:

  • It's challenging for social workers and teachers to look for red flags while teaching these lessons at the same time.
  • Educators do not feel comfortable with these topics.
  • Many times

Outcomes survey for peers who participate in peer-mediated interventions and programs

travers.pmisp_measurement_tool-1
This resource is a valid and reliable measure called the Peer-Mediated Impact Survey for Peers (PMIS:P). This survey requires peers to respond to 46 items and report how they were impacted by their most recent or current peer-mediated intervention or program (PMI). Each of the 46 items are represented within seven thematic areas: (1) skill and intra-personal development, (2) self-worth impact, (3) changes in views, (4) social impact, (5) advocacy impact, (6) rewarding impact, and (7) future impact. Sample items include: “I am a better advocate for people with disabilities.” “I have more favorable views toward inclusion.” and “I developed...
Submitted by: 
Hilary Travers

Daily Behavior Visual Schedule

Daily Behavior Visual Schedule
Visual schedule and behavior chart. Easily editable to fit your student's needs. Great for daily check-ins. My students love to work for prizes by earning smiley faces!
Submitted by: 
Amy Braddock

World Down Syndrome Day: A Parent’s Perspective

parents with their child
For many, World Down Syndrome Day is a day of awareness, education, and advocacy. For Jen and Joe, parents of 9-year-old Kennedy, it is a deeply personal celebration of their daughter’s journey, their evolving understanding of Down syndrome, and their commitment to advocacy.
Publish Date: 
March 20, 2025

Related Topics

Instructional Planning
High-Leverage Practices
Specially Designed Instruction
STEM Instruction
Universal Design for Learning

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