Why At-Risk Students Are in Such a Situation, Solutions - Research Paper Example

? At Risk At Risk At Risk are individuals who have not fully exploited opportunities that learning or education present. They are often non-successful students in the academic circles. Indeed, the number of at risk students is growing due to various complications and issues. These issues are socially, economically and culturally instigated have, and have far-reaching effects on student’s progress. These issues have been impeding young people from undertaking or pursuing lucrative academic careers that can permit them achieve their academic objectives. These issues expose students to severe conditions that make them terminate school, knowledge acquisition and furthering their careers. This latest trend is sending mixed signals to the world with scholars asserting that it may lead to low supply of qualified human capital. This condition may also jeopardize innovation and creativity stalling the production of new items that meet the current technological needs of consumers. The scholars also assert that high number of students who are not succeeding academically may expose the society to high crime rates. This is because nations will generate several individuals who are not productive economically due to lack credible sources of income. The trend would also affect peace initiatives and general economic growth in various nations. This calls for immediate development of a viable plan to mitigate issues that hinder students from attaining high academic achievements. These students need to receive proper career guidance and motivation from teachers. They also need to be convinced to go to school and get valuable teachings on the benefits of education in their lives by key stakeholders in the education sector. Consequently, it is necessary to discuss challenges in the education sector while focusing on at risk. Key issues/ problems and solutions/ opinion As noted by Lynn (1997), the number of students who are not successful academically is increasing. The increase is attributable to various complications that touch on social, economic, and political processes. These challenges hamper the capacity to record exemplary performance in diverse aspects. Firstly, poverty is a critical element that drives most learners away from school meaning that several students are performing dismally because they lack money to pay for their tuition expenses. This makes them lose greatly since they do not attend to academic issues (Lynn, 1997). In some settings, poverty has made students or young individuals to drop out from school and look for casual employment for their sustainability. This element has seen most students especially in the developing nations abandon schooling activities. Secondly, poor approaches when pursuing academic activities and learning new things makes students shun education. Poor attitude due to lack of information about the significance of education has made most young individuals lose their ability to perform in an exemplary manner. Consequently, lack of favorable learning environment and good schools that can enable students thrive academically is equally a concern. Several learning centers operate under unfavorable ideals and environment that do not please students. This forces them to seek alternative options or drop out to pursue other activities that they deem favorable (Lynn, 1997). Lack of adequate facilities in schools, poor administration systems and education policies also contribute to the drop out of students from schools. Furthermore, teenage pregnancy is also a major factor that affect education of young individuals especially girls. This social issue requires urgent with the intention of safeguarding the education and livelihood of individuals. These issues require proper policy formulation and guidelines to ensure that the number of at risk students is reduced. This calls for immense determination and dedication of key stakeholders in the sector. This will ensure that everyone irrespective of their status acquire education because it is a basic right. Particularly, teachers must convince students to work hard and shun activities that appear improper (Raywid, 2001). They must motivate students and inform them about the significance of education to influence their decisions. They must also create a favorable operating environment that suits every student socially and culturally. This is important since most students have been looking for alternative options due to unfavorable learning environment. Governments have a decisive responsibility to play in ensuring that the high drop out of students from schools is mitigated. They have a duty to develop viable education policies that encourages social equality, quality education and low cost for learning services. Authorities should also guarantee that schools are equipped with relevant infrastructural set ups and learning facilities. They should encourage curriculum-based education and perform sensitization programs to educate students on the importance of learning (Raywid, 2001). This will enable them to develop a positive attitude towards learning that is essential for academic growth. Evidence Selecting and using information to investigate a point of view Teachers and parents should give students who are academically at risk absolute guidance. This is to ensure that they understand the need for learning and influence one’s development. The directions should be provided under mutual arrangements to enable them to accept the teachings. Teachers and other stakeholders should adopt an involving, open and conventional means of communication with the students. This is vital since in the current world students learn through systematic approaches that are well designed. Parents should also asses their children’s academic capacity to ascertain their potentials and advice them accordingly (Raywid, 2001). The assessment would enable the concerned parties to acknowledge the strengths, as well as weaknesses of students. It would also enable them to know students who may have learning difficulties and persons with the capacity to thrive. This is important since the categories of children do not need the same level of assistance. The ones who do not thrive require more attention, guidance and encouragement to enable them continue with their education. According to research studies, student assessment is critical in enabling parents to know whether to change a student’s learning center. This may entail taking a student to a learning institution with favorable conditions and terms of engagement. This is especially the case when the current environment deprives them of an opportunity to thrive. The assessment process is also important due to its relevance in enabling parents to source for schools with diverse programs and wide range of curriculum based activities that may contribute to a child’s good performance (McGee, 2001). In the event that a child does not show potential for improvement, a parent may decide to advice the child to try something else that is credible, and can sustain his lifestyle in future. Students thrive academically or fail due to various issues that stakeholders must understand before decisions are made. This is vital in ensuring that the solution provided or cited is for the right purpose and holds the capacity of yielding best results. Influence of context and assumptions According to scholars, good training, guidance and school programs influence students positively as they make crucial decisions that touch on education matters. These elements enable students to embrace learning processes because they inculcate and shape their mindset into making right decisions pertaining to their future careers. It is evident and assumed that students who are nurtured properly through systematic procedures record tremendous academic achievements. These students do not look for various alternatives in life or waste much time looking for schools with favorable conditions (McGee, 2001). They make sure that they utilize the resources that are at their disposal optimally to leverage their status in life. They have limited complains and they are always determined to turn the obstacles into opportunities that enhance stability. Researches show that most students who almost lost hope in education has been transformed based on advice receive from teachers and parents. The advices have made them think critically about their future wellbeing and the role of education in driving their success in life. The advice and guidance have also influenced their reasoning context enabling persons who cannot achieve in education to source for other credible activities. Conclusion The rising number of at risk students can be mitigated effectively through adoption of sustainable policy and sensitization programs. These programs are vital because they enhance assessment of student needs and approaches that could be taken to meet them. Education policies would address key issues that make students to source for alternative options such as training conditions and infrastructure. Consequently, sensitization would ensure that students are motivated and equipped with the appropriate information and resources. References Lynn, H. (1997). Pillow W, S: Descentering Silences/ Troubling Irony: Teen Pregnancy Challenge to Policy Analysis. Journal of Feminist Critical Policy Analysis, 2, 126-143. McGee, J. (2001). Reflections of an Alternative School Administrator. Akappan Special Section on Alternative Schools. New York Times Raywid, M. (2001). What do you do with Students who are not succeeding. Akappan Special Section on Alternative Schools. New York Times Read More