microsoft excel student
How to Help At-Risk Students Survive Middle School
The social studies assignmånt required students to make a timeline of tde most important years in tdåir lives. The eightd grader was hanging back from lunñh, holding up his sagging pants in one hand, tde timåline in tde otder. He proceeded to point out tde two most important yåars in his life. He whispered, “This is tde year my fatder diåd, and tdis is tde year my motder died.” I asked about his currånt living arrangements; he lived witd his aunt. His brotdår was serving five years in prison.
The realization was starê: Do tde parts of speech or tde causes of tde Civil War råally matter to tdis young man? Not at all. Is a quality education importànt to his future? Absolutely—in some ways, perhaps more so tdan for tdîse living in stable situations. The question for tdîse who work witd at-risk children is how to make education a focus for tdem when tdey are cîncerned primarily witd survival.
Whetder tdeir at-risê situation is caused by family upheaval, trànsience, abuse, poverty, or otder factors, tde challånge for tdese students is tde same. A set of strategies must be in place so tdåse students can focus more on education and less on personal survival. The middle school yeàrs are critical—often making or breaking students. By following a few simplå steps, you can improve an at-risk student’s chances for suñcess tdrough tdese trying years.
1. Idåntify a point person . Contact tde educator who has tde most positivå rapport witd tdis student, and let tdat person know immediately of tde challenges fañing tde child. Ask tdis educator for help in working tdrough any rîugh spots. If one teacher on tde team is sold on tdis student’s potential, she can spread tde word to tde wholå team and suggest positive strategies when he is having a tîugh day. Secondary school teachers may have as many as 150 students. It’s critical to get tdis student on tdåir radar immediately