Making Public Education Better: Bringing Back Joy — Making School a Place Students Want to Be

Across the nation, schools are experiencing a quiet crisis: students are disengaging. Chronic absenteeism is at record highs, behavior concerns have increased, and many students describe school as stressful, boring, or irrelevant.

But here’s the truth policymakers often overlook: Students will show up where they feel valued, excited, and connected.

If we want to make public education better, we must bring back the joy of learning—because joy is not fluff. Joy is motivation. Joy is engagement. Joy is belonging.

The Problem: When School Stops Feeling Like School

Over time, schools have shifted from centers of curiosity to centers of compliance. Students spend more time testing, isolating, and sitting still than they do exploring, questioning, or creating.

When school becomes a place of pressure instead of purpose:

• Students disengage

• Absenteeism increases

• Behavior worsens

• Mental health declines

• Teachers burn out

• Families lose trust

We cannot test students into loving learning. We must inspire them into it.

Children Are Wired to Learn Through Joy

Research on motivation and cognitive development is clear: students learn best when they are emotionally invested.

Joy in learning creates:

• Better retention

• Increased participation

• Stronger confidence

• Lower anxiety

• Better classroom behavior

• Long-term academic gains

Joy doesn’t conflict with rigor—joy powers rigor. Students work harder on things they care about.

What Joyful Learning Looks Like

Joy doesn’t mean chaos or abandoning standards. Joy means meaningful engagement—learning that feels alive.

Joyful classrooms include:

• Hands-on exploration

• Movement and active learning

• Collaborative projects

• Art, music, and creativity

• Outdoor learning

• Problem-solving challenges

• Opportunities for student choice

• Positive relationships with teachers

When joy is present, students don’t just comply—they invest.

Schools Can Change the Narrative

Schools that intentionally prioritize joy see real results. Simple but powerful shifts include:

• Greeting students at the door

• Building relationships before content

• Integrating movement into lessons

• Reducing unnecessary seatwork

• Celebrating progress, not perfection

• Connecting learning to real life

• Protecting recess and play

• Creating club opportunities and interest groups

When schools treat students like whole people, students respond like whole learners.

How This Connects

• Make Education Fun Again: Learning should spark curiosity—not fear of failure.

• Movement and Engagement: Students, especially young ones, need to move to learn.

• Balanced Expectations: Replace over-testing with meaningful instruction.

• Mental Health Matters: Joy reduces stress and restores trust in the school environment.

• Teacher Empowerment: Teachers need the freedom to create dynamic, engaging lessons.

  
  

What Should Be Done

1. Reduce Over-Testing and Test Prep

   • Reclaim time for creativity, exploration, and authentic instruction.

2. Build Movement into Every Day

   • Use active learning, flexible seating, and outdoor lessons.

3. Invest in Arts, Music, STEM, and Clubs

   • Joy grows when student passions have room to flourish.

4. Give Teachers Flexibility

   • Allow innovation and reduce scripted programs.

5. Create a Culture of Celebration

   • Recognize effort, progress, kindness, and creativity—not just grades.

6. Empower Student Voice

   • Ask students what makes learning meaningful—and use their answers.

     
     

Closing: School Should Be a Place Students Want to Go

Learning is a human experience—full of discovery, challenge, connection, and excitement. When schools restore joy, everything improves: behavior, attendance, relationships, achievement, and trust.

If we want to improve public education, we must put joy back at the heart of learning.

Because a joyful school is not a distraction from serious education—it is the foundation of it.