Strategies for Reaching At-Risk Students

Course Description

The goal of this course it to provide participants with the necessary skill set to identify, diagnose, and meet the needs of at-risk students. The first half of the course focuses on establishing a definition of what it means to be at-risk, identifying the causes and manifestations of those risks, and empathizing with the needs of at-risk students. In the second half of the course, participants will explore a variety of classroom-, district-, and community-based strategies and programs for students at risk. Throughout the course, participants will also be asked to reflect on their prior experience with at-risk students and apply the concepts and skills they learn to improve current practices.

In the final project, participants will put the knowledge and skills gained throughout the course to use in order to create a holistic at-risk student plan. The student plan will demonstrate the participant’s knowledge of the various strategies explored throughout the course in order to effectively address the needs of a specific at-risk student.

Objectives

As a result of this course, teachers will:

• Examine the factors and needs-deficiencies that put students at-risk.
• Assess the impact of various risk factors on the at-risk student and the overall classroom environment.
• Apply effective strategies for addressing the needs of at-risk students in their classrooms.
• Explore a variety of district- and community-based programs designed to meet the needs of at-risk students.
• Create a plan for the effective implementation of various classroom-, district-, and community-based strategies to address the unique needs of an at-risk student.