About Values Affirmation and Goal Setting

The achievement gap between different groups of students may result from stereotype threat, in which students feel they are at risk of conforming to stereotypes about their social group.  Values affirmations can help counter stereotype threat by reinforcing a student's feelings of integrity and self-worth.
Similarly, helping students with goal setting can help direct their attention toward goal-relevant activities and away from goal-irrelevant activities, improving their capacity for self-regulation.

Further Resources and References