Who Are At-Risk Students? How Do We Help Them?

Identifying at-risk students can be a difficult task for instructors and administrators alike. Since the typical class size per teacher continues to grow, it is hard for any instructor to truly "know" their students. Also, many legal issues and battles make teachers quite wary of knowing their students on a personal level for fear of accusations of misconduct.

If that is the case, what does it take to identify at-risk students? There are a few simple ways to measure at-risk student behavior in a quantifiable manner. It may not work every time, but it can be as simple as tracking a few numbers and behaviors and keeping some good notes.

The first and most obvious metric to observe when looking for at-risk students is grades. What students have started out the semester with low scores? For the students who score low in the beginning, having a conversation with them may be the only help they need. Maybe they just needed motivation, or they might need assistance with study skills, writing skills, etc.

Also, keep track of student grades and see which students begin to have decline in scores. This is often a sign of issues outside of the classroom that are affecting the student's work. Again, a conversation might help, or this might be a good time to either alert the administration or to contact the student counselor for assistance. The administration or counselor may have already heard other concerns about that student and have a better understanding of what interventions might be necessary.

Another at-risk student behavior that can be easily tracked is tardiness or absenteeism. If a student continues to either be late for class or simply is not attending, this is another opportunity to alert either the administration or the counselor.

Finally, disruptive behavior is a sign of an at-risk student that can be easily monitored. If a student is being regularly disruptive, this is probably a time when that student should be forced to see the administration for either discipline or an intervention of some kind, as attempting to intervene in the classroom can cause more disruption for other students.

Once the administration or a counselor is alerted about an at-risk student, how can they help? Public schools would be wise to learn from the current trend in institutions of higher education. Many colleges and universities now have what is often called a "risk assessment team" that meets and confidentially discusses the complaints and concerns that teachers, staff, or other students have expressed about particular students. Having such a team allows schools to get a full picture of what might be happening with a student and allows for multiple perspectives on how to proceed.

While these strategies are not foolproof and some students might still be at risk without exhibiting such behaviors, using these tactics can give teachers a quantifiable plan of action on how to intervene when attempting to indentify at-risk students. Also, a risk-assessment team can help schools to develop better pictures of the students that might be at risk while working out detailed plans of action.

The success of a student is a teacher's ultimate goal. Providing a safe learning environment, surrounded by peers and caring educators, is important for a student to reach their full potential. However, what happens when these conditions are not enough for certain students to excel? At-risk students have many things in common. Which also means that there are always similar ways to help them. Here are three tips for teachers to help struggling students:

Absenteeism

When a student is absent a lot from school, it's only normal for teachers to be concerned and wonder what is going on. The best thing to do when this happens is to call home and speak to the student's parents. Find out why the child is missing so much school, and arrange plans to help the child make up their missed work.

Poor Grades

When a student is not academically doing well, the first thing you should do is talk to the student and find out what is going on. You, as a teacher, have the ability to make a change. Don't ignore a student's cry for help. Offer your help after school or suggest an online study session. You may need to call home and talk to the student's parents and schedule a parent-teacher conference.

Risky Behavior

You can tell a lot about a student in regards to how they demonstrate themselves in the classroom. Poor behavior can be determined through talking out in class, being rude to others, and refusing to follow the rules. When this happens, take the student aside and talk about things. You may need to make a phone call to their parents and let them know what is going on with their child.

It's important to not ignore the signs of a struggling student. Sometimes all they need is a helping hand and some guidance.

More Information On At-Risk Students

Alternative Education

  1. At-Risk Students Must Believe
  2. Bureau For At-Risk Youth