Every teacher has those students. The ones who keep you awake at night. The ones you worry about on weekends. The ones you have in mind when you put extra snacks and school supplies in your cupboard. They are the kids who test your nerves and break your heart at the same time. They’re the many at-risk students coming to your classroom for support, guidance, and instruction every day.
What is an at-risk student?
Students who are at-risk don’t fit into just one category. There could be many factors causing them to be considered at-risk. In general, it refers to students at risk of not meeting academic or social expectations or not graduating from high school.
Characteristics of at-risk students: Identifying vulnerabilities
The situations that often cause students to be at risk are as varied as the kids themselves. At-risk students' characteristics don’t fit one mold, yet commonalities exist. Most have little or no control over their hardships. Some may come from unstable home environments or families with financial difficulties. They may have experienced trauma. Food insecurity could be a daily problem. Some struggle with social, emotional, or physical concerns. Maybe there are learning disabilities that make school more difficult.
At-risk students might seem difficult in the classroom because they sometimes act defiantly. They might seem uninterested in the lessons. Tardies and absences begin to add up. Grades fall due to incomplete assignments, and there may even be no attempt to start the work. There may be a disconnect from school activities. Behaviors in class might look like a lack of effort or even laziness. It’s important, though, to look beyond the obvious to find the why and unlock their potential.
The challenges at-risk students face in education
At-risk students face challenges at home and school. With struggles coming at them from all angles, you may wonder how to support at-risk students. Because life tends to be chaotic for them, helping at-risk students succeed takes patience and understanding. Whole group lessons can be overwhelming to them. Teaching at-risk students in small groups with scaffolded lessons helps to target their individual needs. Even then, reteaching lessons and utilizing intervention strategies may be necessary. Regardless of at-risk students' challenges, there are ways to support them.
Effective strategies to support at-risk students in the classroom
At-risk students sit on the bubble for success. All it takes is finding the strategies that work. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Every at-risk student is different, making the needs different as well.
So, where does a teacher start? The first step is always in the relationship. Students, especially at-risk students, need to feel seen, valued, and heard by their teachers. When trust and respect are earned between students and teachers, they find common ground in the quest for school success. Then what?
- Make sure students know and understand the rules at school and instructions for individual assignments. Break them down if a student needs them in digestible chunks.
- Encourage students to find something about school that interests them. Maybe they want to join a club, design bulletin boards, or help in the library.
- Give opportunities for making choices. Applaud good decision-making skills.
- Don’t ignore disruptive behavior just because a student is considered at-risk. You can still maintain positive relationships and discipline when necessary.
- Connect curriculum to at-risk students. Help them see themselves in the lessons.
- Find new ways to present information when concepts are difficult for students to grasp. Enlist the help of another student who can help with work and offer friendship at the same time.
- Don’t stress about low grades or missing assignments. Help at-risk students devise plans to change work habits and move forward.
- Communicate realistic yet high expectations for them. Assure them that they can be successful and that you’re there to help.
- Connect with the family and let them know you are a trustworthy resource. Help caregivers find ways to support their students at home.
When at-risk students leave your classroom at the end of the day or on the last day of the school year, make sure they know that they matter. You could be “that teacher” for an at-risk student. You could be the one who helps that student break free from the at-risk label to become a successful student with goals for the future.
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