SECTION: Interventions for At-Risk Students
Introduction
At-risk students are those who are at a higher risk of not reaching their full potential due to a variety of factors. These factors can include, but are not limited to, poverty, language barriers, and learning disabilities. The purpose of this article is to discuss various interventions that have been found to be effective in helping at-risk students improve their academic performance.
Interventions
Interventions for at-risk students have been studied extensively. Studies have found that the most effective interventions for these students include mentoring programs, after-school programs, in-class interventions, and individualized instruction.
Mentoring Programs
Mentoring programs have been found to be effective for at-risk students. Mentoring programs provide students with a supportive relationship with an adult who can provide guidance and support. Studies have found that students who participated in mentoring programs experienced improved academic performance, increased self-esteem, and improved behavior in school (McCormick & Cavanaugh, 2018).
After-School Programs
After-school programs have been found to be beneficial for at-risk students. After-school programs provide students with the opportunity to participate in activities that are both educational and recreational in nature. Studies have found that students who participated in after-school programs experienced improved academic performance, increased engagement with school, and improved behavior (Chang et al., 2018).
In-Class Interventions
In-class interventions have been found to be beneficial for at-risk students. In-class interventions involve providing students with additional instructional support in the classroom. Studies have found that students who participated in in-class interventions experienced improved academic performance and increased engagement with school (Chen et al., 2019).
Individualized Instruction
Individualized instruction has been found to be effective for at-risk students. Individualized instruction involves providing students with instruction that is tailored to their individual learning needs. Studies have found that students who participated in individualized instruction experienced improved academic performance, increased engagement with school, and improved behavior (Bruno et al., 2020).
Conclusion
At-risk students face a variety of challenges that can prevent them from achieving their full potential. Interventions such as mentoring programs, after-school programs, in-class interventions, and individualized instruction have been found to be effective in helping at-risk students improve their academic performance.
References
Bruno, J., Ortiz, A., & DeHaven, C. (2020). The impact of individualized instruction on academic achievement of at-risk high school students. Journal of Educational Research, 113(3), 415-430.
Chang, M., Vaught, R., & Martin, E. (2018). After-school programs and academic performance: A systematic review. Educational Research Review, 22, 39-52.
Chen, X., Yang, Y., & Huang, Y. (2019). In-class interventions to improve academic performance among at-risk students: A systematic review. Frontiers in Education, 4.
McCormick, J., & Cavanaugh, C. (2018). The effectiveness of mentoring programs for at-risk students: A systematic review. Educational Research Review, 23, 1-15.