Student Apathy: Survey Analysis of Poca High School and a Review of Current Literature

Student apathy (disengagement, low motivation, and lack of purpose) is a growing concern in education. However, research shows it stems from deeper issues such as passive teaching methods, limited student choice, and academic struggles. To determine whether these issues are universal, psychology students at Poca High School created and implemented the Disengagement Observation Tracking Survey (DOTS) used in this study. Results indicate minimal change in student attitudes toward education, as self-reported views of assessment and instruction mirror the initial findings of the literature review.