- In what proportion of classrooms to all the pupils try wholeheartedly to learn everything that the teacher is trying to teach?
- In how many schools is pupil disaffection and disengagement from learning not a problem?
- Is there a connection between the extent to which pupils are willing to cooperate happily and enthusiastically with the process of learning, and the degree to which teachers find their work fulfilling, worthwhile and enjoyable?
The choice of disaffection as a focus for research was that of the headteachers and teachers involved with the project. It was not laid down by the Department for Education or the Teacher Training Agency and Centre for British Teachers who funded the projects. Disaffection was a phenomenon which was a direct and major concern for almost all the teachers involved – an important part of the quality of their working lives. Reviews of the project found that this was an important factor in engaging teachers in and with research.