At-Risk Students :: essays papers

At-Risk StudentsHistorical OverviewOver any student performance was lower in the early 1900s than it is today, quite possibly beca enjoyment schools felt much less crush than they do today to achieve equity and excellence among students (Rossi, 1994, p.4). While some(prenominal) of the challenges schools encountered during the early 20th nose lavatorydy are the same challenges in empower day schools, they were not addressed back then because they were not a priority. The focus on equity and excellence that has been developed since the turn of the century is worthy of praise (Rossi, 1994, p.4).Throughout much of U.S. history, the separate and unequal school of diverse groups has been reinforced. Ethnicity and class abide been perhaps the most obvious solid ground for discrimination, but other student characteristics, such as gender and disability, have also been employ to separate students and place them into appropriate courses regardless of their emf or interest (Rossi, 199 4). Soon, tidy movements, dating back to the 19th century, to proffer all students with a common and equal education that cut across differences in class, ethnicity and religion became a focus.Diversity among students including differences in culture, language and socioeconomic stance is not a new trend. The difference, however, is that today, the school system realizes that all students, including those who differ in some way from the average student, or those at- stake must be provided with an equal, opportune education (Morris, 1991).Defining Students At-RiskSometimes, determining when students are at risk can be a difficult task. The term at-risk has been used to describe a particular category of students who, on the basis of some(prenominal) risk factors, are unlikely to graduate from high school (Land, Stringfield, 2002). that educators are also confronted with children who have other at-risk conditions. For example, educators will be amenable for working with students who are at risk due to health problems, nitty-gritty abuse, disabilities, socioeconomic status and other various reasons. These conditions can make students academically at-risk, or in danger of not meeting their educational potential. The use of the term at-risk to describe learners is often controversial and deserves consideration, as the at-risk label can convey a negative connotation. Causes of At-Risk ConditionsDetermining the cause of at risk conditions can be helpful and can contribute to the development of reform programs. First, school conditions might actually be creating at-risk conditions. Inappropriate instruction, competitive schooling environments, ability grouping and hostile classroom environments are just a few ways schools contribute to the problem (Muller, 2001, p.