The Importance of Teacher Support and Equity in Student Engagement and Achievement in Low SES School Contexts

Abstract

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is often seen as a risk factor for lower academic achievement, so this study explains how teacher support and equity are related to higher student engagement and achievement in low SES school contexts. Based on the results, student behavioural engagement is related to their achievement. The results of the multiple regression analysis show that teacher support and equity predict student emotional engagement statistically significantly, while behavioural engagement predicts only equity. No significant teacher support and equity prognostic values were found for student achievements. The study’s results encourage further research and the search for answers to the question of what kind of teacher behaviour creates a favourable learning environment for all students in low SES context schools.